ARA Volunteer of the Year Awards 2008

The ARA’s fourth annual Volunteer of the Year awards took place at the National Championships on Saturday 19th July 2008. As last year, separate awards were presented to recognise the work of young volunteers across the country. This category for Under 18s received a large number of nominations and has shown how many hard working young volunteers the sport is attracting.

Despite the blustery weather and transport difficulties on Saturday, virtually all the regional winners were in attendance.  Di Ellis, ARA Chairman, presented the awards and underlined the importance of being able to recognise and reward the volunteers, without whom our sport would not be as strong as it is.

The National Volunteer of the Year, selected after great deliberation from all the regional winners, was Jane Hall from City of Bristol Rowing Club for her outstanding contribution in so many aspects of the club’s life .

The Under 18 volunteer of the Year Award was shared between Alex Pattinson from Tyne Rowing Club and Imogen Beedham from Beccles Rowing Club. Unfortunately Imogen was unable to attend as she was hiking along the Inca Trail in Peru.

Barry Wood received a Lifetime achievement award, a new category for 2008.