Volunteers recognised at Rodney Powell Awards
Comedian Josh Pugh and Frances Powell presented the winners of the inaugural Rodney Powell Awards for Volunteering with their awards on Saturday 9 October.
Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) launched the awards to recognise and celebrate the huge contribution volunteers make to both the charity and the lives of blind and partially sighted people.
The winners of this year’s awards were:
1. Outstanding volunteering team
York Sight Loss Council – shortlisted for its work with e-scooter operator TIER which led to the company being the first to commit to installing audible vehicle alerts to its fleet, encouraging others to follow suit.
Watch Fred Jones of Tier, congratulate York Sight Loss Council on their award win below:
2. Outstanding volunteer (individual)
Krupali Parshotam – Student Voices – shortlisted for her contribution to Disabled Student Allowance reforms.
Watch Krupali’s acceptance speech below:
3. Outstanding contribution to volunteering
Wayne Jordan, a founding member of Birmingham Sight Loss Council who sadly passed away earlier this year. Wayne’s daughter, Kerrie, and his stepson, Jacob, accepted the award on his behalf.
Read the full list of shortlisted nominations here
Emma Hughes, Director of Services for TPT, said: “At the awards, we heard about the amazing and inspiring work being done by volunteers and our Sight Loss Councils right across the country.”
Emma spoke about Wayne and his work. She said:
“Wayne was a real team player. He was witty, passionate, and the life and soul of the party. But above all this, he had a huge sense of fairness. A well-known member of the VI community in Birmingham, he worked tirelessly to break down barriers and advocate for other blind and partially sighted people – not just with a Sight Loss Council hat on – but on behalf of many other charities too.”
Emma also commemorated the work of another volunteer who passed away this year, Anne Murphy.
She said:
“Anne played a key role in the launch of Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council and inspired others to join. She made connections with the e-scooter operator, Ginger and ensured the voices of blind and partially sighted people were represented. Anne supported a number of other charities and activities that championed the needs of blind and partially sighted people – such as Sight Concern Bedfordshire, Guide Dogs and the Social VIP Club. She always put the needs of others before herself and we will miss her greatly.”
Frances Powell was the wife of TPT’s former chairman and trustee Rodney Powell who was Thomas Pocklington’s great nephew. Rodney was a trustee at TPT for 37 years from 1983 to 2020 when he sadly passed away.
Emma said:
“These inaugural awards recognise the value volunteers’ engagement brings to the lives of blind and partially sighted people and is a fitting tribute to the commitment and dedication Rodney made to the charity as a volunteer trustee and Chair.”
Publication date: 13 October 2021