WINNER: CHANCE TO DANCE STARS SPONSORED BY AB WALKER
This year’s Volunteers of the Year Award, sponsored by AB Walker, was given to Chance to Dance Stars (CTDS).
The organisation provides a dance school for students and families with disabilities, bringing accessible dance classes which are more tailored to the needs of the students.
Victoria Andrews, who founded the organisation, was joined by Lynda Coultas, a volunteer and director, to collect the award.Ms Coultas said of winning the accolade: “It’s a bit surreal– we’ve worked so hard to get where we are, so to be recognised for something that we do for the community and the children is just lovely.
“It’s amazing to share the space with talented supporters of all sorts of causes.
“I joined around 12 years ago, intending to only do one term, and I’m still there; Vicky’s enthusiasm and encouragement means you become drawn in.
“You just want to support her and do everything you can for the children.”
Ms Andrews said: “The kids are going to be so excited– it’s for the volunteers, and the team who work so hard– but now they get to feel like their dance school means just as much as any else.
“It’s also great to be able to tell them that we’ll hopefully be performing as guests next year.”
“We’ve been lucky to expand over 11 years, but this is where we started– most of the team live here or grew up here, including myself.
“So to know that something that I love doing is being put on the map is phenomenal, as is being able to help our kids feel proud of who they are and their home.”
She added: “We want to shout out the students, of course, but also to their families who bring them along despite all sorts of challenges in the morning– without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
