High Sheriff Awards for students who volunteer in the community

Bangor University students who had demonstrated outstanding commitments to volunteering whilst at university received High Sheriff’s Awards recently. The prestigious ceremony took place in the presence of the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and University Council and was delivered by Peter Harlech Jones, High Sheriff for Anglesey and Gwynedd.

The award was initiated in 2007 when the then High Sheriff and University Council Member, Dr. Dewi Roberts and his wife, Dr. Sheila Roberts wished to formally recognise the contribution that Bangor University students make to the local community through voluntary work. Current Bangor students are able to nominate fellow students for an individual award or a volunteering project group award and the winners are agreed upon by a panel made up of current and previous High Sheriffs and senior university staff. This year, three individual awards were presented along with two group awards.

Street Law, part of Bangor University Law Society was awarded £750 to support their volunteering work. As a student-run project, Street Law provides advice on law and consumer rights. Following recent cuts to the legal aid budget, this valuable service is much needed in the community and it is their future aim is to create pop-up legal clinics throughout Gwynedd and Anglesey.

Sbectrwm is an SVB (Bangor Students’ Union volunteering group) project providing a weekly activity club for children affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their siblings. A group of highly dedicated student volunteers lead and manage the project which provides the children with a safe and well managed environment in which to grow and thrive.

Keira Hand was awarded an individual award in recognition of her commitment to Street Law as its director. Keira has been credited with the current success that the group has been experiencing this year following difficulties which almost led to its closure. Keira’s team members nominated her as they believe her to be amazingly organised, enthusiastic and committed to the group and credit her responsible for the group’s growth over the past 12 months.

Aimee Boyd received an individual award for her dedication to volunteering with SVB over five years. She attends the Hergest Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor once a week to offer activity sessions for patients, volunteers as a First Aider at Bangor University sports fixtures, coaches the Bangor University Judo Club and teaches Belly Dancing through the Bangor University Dance Society. Aimee was also recognised for her hard work developing the Duke of Edinburgh Award at the university.

A joint award was made to Ruth Plant and Amelia Boddison, the current co-ordinators of Bangor University RAG (Raise and Give). Ruth and Amelia have organised several large scale events this year, raising money for four charities chosen by the student body. This year they are on target to raise over £4000, which will be split equally between, the Child Brain Trust, the Newlife Foundation, Tiny Tickers and the Children’s Air Ambulance.

The afternoon was a fantastic opportunity to thank all the student volunteers for their very hard work and dedication to their causes. The High Sheriff Awards will be back next year with nominations being accepted in March. 

Publication date: 4 May 2016