27/04/2007 - Mayor’s charity shop workers lunch

The unsung heroines and heroes of the borough’s charity shops were honoured recently by Welwyn Hatfield’s Mayor and Mayoress.

Councillor John Hawkins and his wife Christine were pleased to entertain some of the voluntary workers at a lunch at the Council Offices, which took place on Friday 27 April.

The lunch was attended by volunteers from Welwyn Hatfield Shopmobility, the YMCA, Isabel Hospice and the Connect Club. Councillor Carl Storer, Deputy Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, also attended.

Cllr Hawkins said; “It was our thank you for the hours of unpaid work done by many selfless people. I don’t think they get the recognition they deserve and I wanted them to know that their time and trouble really is appreciated.”

“Being Mayor and Mayoress has been a real eye-opener. We have attended all kinds of engagements and met a lot of people, many of whom, like the charity shop workers, give up a lot of their time each week for the benefit of the community and for no financial reward.

“It’s been said that without the voluntary sector this country would collapse and from what we’ve seen we can believe it.

“The charities would not raise so much money if they had to pay the volunteers for all the help so freely given. The workers are one example of the caring nature of so many people in the borough; they are all a credit to Welwyn Hatfield.”

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