Date Published: 23/07/08

Bob Still (left) and Dave Garrard (right) receive their certificates from Councillor Glover, Chairman of AVDC

Two unsung heroes from Aylesbury Vale have been rewarded for their outstanding community work.

Bob Still of Bowling Alley, Oving, and Dave Garrard of St Michael’s Close, Stewkley, are the joint winners of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s prestigious Volunteer of the Year award.

The annual awards scheme, now in its ninth year, was launched by the council to find those people in the community who go the extra mile to help others. They are nominated by members of the public and the final judging is made by a cross-party panel of councillors.

Bob Still has worked with Whitchurch and Oving youth club for more than 30 years, along with his wife Pat. He has helped raise thousands of pounds through fundraising events and still plays an active role in the upkeep of the Legion Hall where the club is based.

Mr Still was nominated by Andrew Pain, Chairman of Whitchurch Parish Council, who said: “Bob founded the club and was one of its first leaders. He raised money to enable it to continue and even today is the primary instigator of initiatives to maintain the club and its premises.”

Dave Garrard has been running a youth football club in Stewkley for more than 30 years. He coaches the team each and every Saturday morning during the season and personally provides all the training equipment.

Councillor Janet Blake, who represents the Stewkley ward, said: “Dave Garrard is highly respected in the local community for his commitment to providing football training to youngsters, many of whom have gone on to play for Stewkley Football Club. In this way, he has been an enormous help to maintaining the existence of the club.”

Runner-up was Carole Fryer, who was nominated for the fantastic contribution she has made to the village of Stone.

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “There are many people in this district who work tirelessly for the benefit of their community, and with no thought of financial reward. The awards scheme is a way we can recognise their efforts and pay tribute to the tremendous work they do for others. They really are our local heroes.”

The residents received their awards from the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Netta Glover, at a private ceremony on 22 July.