Service Recognition Awards

Awards Presentation 12 August 202

Allnut, Nathan Curtis and Craig Dutton

In recognition of the founding and running of the Handcross Community Events group and their voluntary service in the village of Handcross both through the group’s events (such as the village fayre, village picnic and Jubilee fayre) as well as orchestrating direct support for those in need, including the distribution of water to vulnerable residents (when residents were without running water), the raising of money for the village church pantry and their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Central Sussex Rotary would like to commend the Handcross Community Events team for securing the legacy of their group – going from strength to strength since the pandemic – with further plans to develop a community run village store and village association. 

Elizabeth Owen 

In recognition of Elizabeth’s vision and leadership in setting up a fully functioning, sophisticated and sustainable community-led library in Ringmer, as well as her own substantial voluntary service in running the library, training other volunteers and ensuring its financial stability. Elizabeth’s work has been reported to combat loneliness and have spill-over effects in supporting other local voluntary groups. Central Sussex Rotary would like to commend Elizabeth for adapting to changing community needs, including operating a home delivery service during the pandemic, supporting the local food bank and more recently providing warm hubs and cool spaces. 

Brian and Linda Dove 

In recognition of their dedicated and long-running voluntary work supporting the local community through the provision of a free weekly IT support group at the Spire Café, in St Johns Church, Burgess Hill and through the Burgess Hill Repair Café. The support group is reported to have helped hundreds of people since its inception and Brian and Linda are described as approachable, always happy to help, always going the extra mile and having ‘dedication second to none’.  Central Sussex Rotary specifically commend Brian and Linda’s efforts in supporting digital access and digital literacy for the elderly – helping to combat digital exclusion and vulnerability. 

Central Sussex Rotary opens nominations for grassroots ‘Service Recognition Awards’  

Central Sussex Rotary Club has opened nominations for its inaugural ‘Service Recognition Awards’, designed to recognise the efforts of unsung grassroots volunteers across Mid Sussex and beyond. 

The Club has decided to launch a recognition scheme, specifically aimed at those people in the community who are not in a leadership role but who make a significant contribution to the local community through volunteering. From charities to churches, caring to climate action, sports to social impact - local residents are being encouraged to put forward their suggestions of people they believe deserve a sincere ‘thank you’ for their service but may otherwise have gone under the radar. 

Commenting, James M. Butcher, Club President of Central Sussex Rotary said: 

“We’re excited to be launching these awards to recognise those community stalwarts for whom voluntary service is their second nature. We want to encourage nominations for grassroots volunteers, people who put their head down and work hard, and may not necessarily be recognised in other awards schemes. We can’t wait to hear about all the good people in our community, and celebrate their contribution.” 

The criteria for nominations is as follows: 

• The nominee must live, work or volunteer in the District or Borough Council areas of Mid Sussex, Crawley, Horsham, Lewes or Wealden. 
• The nominee should be in a grassroots voluntary role, whether formal or informal, in any community setting. 
• The nominee should have made a significant contribution to their community, whether through dedication, commitment, longevity or going the extra mile.  
• Applications can be made for under 18s but parent or guardian consent must be sort first and only the contact details of the responsible adult should be provided. 

Successful nominees will be invited to a presentation ceremony in June where they will receive a certificate, a small token of thanks, a tea party and be listed on Central Sussex Rotary’s website in a ‘roll of honour’. 

Nominations are open now and close on midnight 31st May 2023. To make a nomination, send the name of the person you’d like to nominate with a short statement of why you think the person deserves to be recognised to centralsussexrotary@gmail.com please be sure to include your own name too and we will be in touch. We kindly ask you not to notify the nominee, to help preserve the surprise!