OUTSTANDING volunteers were celebrated at a special reception held by Purbeck District Council.

Guests heard about the dedication, endless energy and enthusiasm that they bring to the local towns and villages.

Chairman of the council Councillor Eric Osmond, awarded the certificates and said: “Our volunteers are outstanding.

“With leadership and enthusiasm, they encourage others – their work is so important for our communities. They freely give their time, energy and skills to help others and I would like to thank them for their tireless efforts.

“Without these individuals many activities would not be possible. “They work quietly behind the scenes, contributing many hours of their time to benefit whole communities.

“I am delighted that we can all show our appreciation.”

Twelve parishes and towns across the district nominated volunteers, who were congratulated in front of more than 50 people.

Among the volunteers named were the late Captain Paul Badcock of Affpuddle and Turners Puddle, who died in August 2011 after a long illness and the late Terry Vine of Bere Regis, who was commemorated for his youth work.

Sadly, Mr Vine died while on a trip to the Brecon Beacons where he had volunteered to take a group of youths hill-walking.

Other unsung heroes awarded included Barry Quinn of East Stoke, Derek Loveless of Studland, Graham Noyce of Wareham St Martin, Rozanne Longstaff of Wareham, volunteer coastguard officer Kevin Burt of West Lulworth, Sheila Johnson of Worth Matravers and Jon Barnes of Arne for his decade’s work with Wareham Scout Group.

African trip to help others

• MEDICAL student Amy Price is heading to Africa to teach health education in schools and the community.

The former Woodroffe pupil will be volunteering on the island of Zanzibar for a month as part of a team of volunteers for the One Heart Source charity.

She said: “Zanzibar is a country which is faced with a crippling AIDS epidemic and which has devastating health statistics.

“For example their total expenditure on health per capita is only $68, as opposed to $3123 in the UK.

“The life expectancy is only 53 years.

“Just providing basic healthcare information can make a big difference to people in such desperate circumstances and can help them stay safe and break the vicious cycle of poverty and disease.

“I’m hopefully going to go out there at the end of June. I’ll be teaching health education in schools and in the community.

“I’ll also be living with local people.”

Amy has lived in Colyton for the past five years and attended the Woodroffe School.

She is studying Medicine at the University of St Andrews.

Visit her page at charitygiving.co.uk /amypriceforohs