# Best and longest-serving volunteers sought

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/05/23/best-longest-serving-volunteers-sought/
- Published: 2014-05-23T09:45:34+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

With Volunteer Week running again in June, celebrating the role and value of volunteers,
there are two award schemes currently seeking nominations of volunteers.

## Britain’s longest serving charity shop volunteer

The [Charity Retail Association](http://www.charityretail.org.uk/), the UK’s trade
association for charity shops, is asking charity retailers to nominate volunteers
who have served for a long time with great distinction. The umbrella body wants 
to hear about their achievements, their  highlights over the years “and what keeps
them coming back for more”.

It says that the UK’s 213,000 charity shop volunteers raise almost £300 million 
each year for charity.

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There could be some competition for this award, as the CRA represents 80% of charity
shop in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with almost 7,000 shops.

**Nominations close on 30 May** and the winner will be announced during National
Volunteering week in June. To nominate charity retailers should send details to 
[Liam Challenger](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/05/23/best-longest-serving-volunteers-sought/li**@***************rg.uk)
on 020 7697 4079.

## Volunteer of the Year

The Guardian’s Voluntary Sector Network is inviting nominations for its [Volunteer of the Year award](http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2014/may/20/nominate-your-volunteer-of-the-year).

It points out that, with 91% of charities being run entirely by volunteers, “unpaid
workers are the backbone of the voluntary sector”. It is seeking nominations of “
those who are extra special to your organisation”.

**Nominations close at 23:59 BST on 28 May**.

It will then shortlist five entries, each of whom will be profiled on 2 June with
their organisation in a gallery on the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network. Readers
will then be invited to choose the winner. The overall winner will receive an iPad.

[Volunteers’ Week 2014](http://volunteersweek.org/) runs from 1 to 7 June.

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   24 July 2014)
 * **[Bank’s Chief Economist on measuring value of volunteering](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/09/12/banks-chief-economist-measuring-value-volunteering/)**(
   12 September 2014)
 * **[Nominate an unsung hero to take part in People’s Strictly Come Dancing](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/10/15/nominate-unsung-hero-take-part-peoples-strictly-come-dancing/)**(
   15 October 2014)