VOLUNTEERS from the around the county have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to local causes.

More than 150 people attended a special award ceremony at Letterston Memorial Hall on Wednesday, June 4, celebrating the commitment of local volunteers.

Organised by PAVS Volunteering Pembrokeshire, the awards were part of National Volunteers' Week - a nationwide celebration of volunteers that takes place between June 1 and 7 every year.

Volunteers' Week plays a huge part in raising the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to the community, while inspiring others to get involved too.

The PAVS Pembrokeshire Volunteering Awards was divided into four age group categories, a trustee award, and the the Mary Sigley Award – for where volunteering has changed the life of a person.

Awards were presented by Anna Malloy, PR and communications officer for the Port of Milford Haven, which funds the Treats for Time scheme administered by PAVS that rewards volunteers with a treats or gift for carrying out 50 hours of volunteering.

Winners were as follows: Trustee category winner: Margaret Moss, SPAN Arts; highly commended: Geraint Williams, Haverfordwest Skatepark Association; commended: Dennis O’Connor, PATCH, and Ken Jones, Tanyard Youth Project.

Under-25 winner: Amy Picton, PATCH; highly commended: James Tyler, Pembrokeshire People First; commended: Jodie Davies, Barnardo’s Pembrokeshire V-Linx Project.

Over-25s winners: Pat and Roy Thomas, British Red Cross; highly commended: Tessa Pearson; commended: Carol Clayton, PATCH, and John Wretham, Bloomfield Community Centre.

Mary Sigley Award winner: Lewis Hodgson, PATCH; highly commended: Sheila Weston, PATCH, and Katie-May White, SPPOT; commended: Taylor Jones, Barnardo’s V-Linx Xtra.

Group under-25 winners: PATCH youth group; highly commended: Barnardo’s V-Linx .

Group over-25, joint winners PATCH and Pembrokeshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB); highly commended: Theatr Gwaun Trustee Board; commended: Haverfordwest Town Museum.

There are more than 400 volunteering opportunities in Pembrokeshire, from environment and conservation, office and administration, IT and media, voluntary driving, volunteering with children, young people and the elderly, people with disabilities and much more.

To find out more, contact Caroline at PAVS Volunteering Pembrokeshire on 01437 769422.