Medal honour for volunteer

From the archive, first published Friday 14th Oct 2005.

CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A 79-YEAR-OLD volunteer is to be honoured for her work helping other elderly people.

Sonia Gittins, of Brook Drive, Corsham, arranges for elderly people to be picked up and taken to doctors' surgeries and hospitals.

As transport co-ordinator of Corsham Link she is one of 12 people who will scoop a Year of the Volunteer medal this evening.

Mrs Gittins has been helping with Corsham Link since it was launched 18 years ago.

She said: "I'm only happy when I'm busy and my husband tells me I'm doing too much but it keeps me going and I love people and working with them.

"We have 40 drivers who are excellent and I have help from the trustees who are very supportive."

She is also a trustee of Carer Support North Wiltshire,

president of the Townswomen's Guild and a volunteer at Hungerford House care home.

She worked in Oxfam for 10 years after she retired as a secretary at Westinghouse.

Elizabeth Salter, Year of the Volunteer campaign manager, says: "The Year of the Volunteer medal is just a small way to thank the incredible hard work of so many committed volunteers from Wiltshire who give up their time to help others.

"I hope the medal winners inspire anyone who hasn't already enjoyed the benefits of volunteering to give it go and make a difference in their local community."

The medals will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Wilt-shire John Bush at County Hall, Trow-bridge, at 6.30pm.

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