St Dunstan’s Celebrates 95th Anniversary with Awards
Source: St Dunstan's
26 Mar 10
On 26th March 2010 - St Dunstan’s will celebrate 95 years since its inception with Founder’s Day Awards to recognise the outstanding achievements of
St Dunstaners, volunteers and staff.
The Awards, to be held at St Dunstan’s Ovingdean Centre, Brighton, will be presented by The Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field. They are inspired by the legacy of the organisation’s Founder, Sir Arthur Pearson and the spirit of hope, opportunity and accomplishment he embodied.
This year, the ceremony, marks 95 years since the date in 1915 on which the first 16 war blinded individuals entered the new St Dunstan’s training Centre in London’s Regents Park. Awards are to be presented in seven categories: Community Award, Sports Person of the Year, Award for Creative art, Volunteer of the Year, Training Achievement, Special Achievement Award and Chairman’s Commendations for Outstanding Service.
Ray Hazan, St Dunstan’s President and a St Dunstaner himself, following injuries sustained in Northern Ireland, commented, “These awards provide an opportunity to recognise the exceptional achievements of inspiring St Dunstaners and dedicated volunteers and staff. St Dunstan’s has a long and proud history and has supported over 12,000 blind and visually impaired veterans dating from the 1st World War to the current conflict in Afghanistan. On our 95th Anniversary, St Dunstan’s is as relevant as ever and is experiencing a growing demand for its specialist services. We will continue to honour the vision of our Founder and ensure many more blind veterans look forward to fulfilling, independent futures.”
Award winners include Roger McMullen, who was presented with the Special Achievement Award. The son-in-law of late St Dunstaner Robert Webb, Roger has been volunteering for over 30 years, coaching and encouraging St Dunstaners to get the best out of a variety of sports, including archery and acoustic rifle shooting. Joe ‘Keith’ Robins, 66, winner of the ‘Community Award’ has, for nearly two years, shown dedication by operating a recycling scheme where he sifts through steel and aluminium cans, separating them, crushing them and selling them to a local scrap metal merchant. The money raised has gone to benefit several charities including
St Dunstan’s.
St Dunstaner Roy Ramsay, aged 73, winner of the Award for Creative Art, hasn’t let sight loss prevent him from pursuing his passion for writing. He’s become quite prolific, producing monologues, poetry, and short stories and even being published on a number of occasions. 24 year old St Dunstaner Craig Lundberg, who lost his sight in Iraq 2007 after being hit by a rocket propelled grenade, is awarded as Sports Person of the Year. Since being injured, Craig has run the London Marathon, cycled from London to France, and climbed Kilimanjaro. Football has always been his passion and Craig has been attending a blind Football Academy. He has also joined the England VI team, playing in several games to date and has ambitions for the Paralympics in 2012.
John Mugan, named Volunteer of the Year, the son of a St Dunstaner, is a longstanding volunteer who has supported St Dustaners in the Brighton Club and as a spotter during national bowling tournaments over the years. At the age of 92,
St Dunstaner George Bell has learned to touch type and to use specialist software for those with a visual impairment. His dedication is rewarded with a ‘Training Achievement Award’.
St Dunstan’s staff Colin Williamson (Cadet Challenge Coordinator, and a
St Dunstaner), Louise Clarke (HR Administrator), Peter Wiltshire (Care Assistant), Glynis Gillam (Ward Manager), Sue Henrickson (Ward Manager), were also recognised for their outstanding service and dedication with Chairman’s Commendations.
Read more about St Dunstan's history.
The support that St Dunstan’s provides is especially relevant today, with increasing numbers of war-blinded men and women returning from current conflict in need of specialist assistance. St Dunstan’s also supports those who have Served and are struggling with sight loss in later life. Currently, total beneficiary numbers approach 5000 and the Organisation is experiencing a growing need for its assistance.
St Dunstan’s makes a commitment to support St Dunstaners and their families for life. Please help support St Dunstan's
