St Dunstan's Recognises achievements in Honour of Founder
18 Mar 09
St Dunstan’s held its inaugural Founder’s Day Awards to celebrate the outstanding achievements of St Dunstaners, volunteers and staff.
The Awards, held at St Dunstan’s Sheffield Centre, are inspired by the legacy of the organisation’s Founder, Sir Arthur Pearson and the spirit of hope, opportunity and accomplishment he embodied.
The ceremony, to take place annually on or around 26th March, marked the date in 1915 on which the first 16 war blinded entered the new St Dunstan’s training centre in London’s Regents Park. Awards were presented in seven categories; Community Award, Innovator of the Year, Sports Person of the Year, Award for Creative art, Volunteer of the Year, Training Achievement and Chairman’s Commendations for Outstanding Service. This year an additional category recognises ‘special achievement’.
Ray Hazan, St Dunstan’s President and a St Dunstaner himself, following injuries sustained in Northern Ireland, commented, ‘These awards provide an opportunity to honour our Founder and promote the wonderful accomplishments of St Dunstaners, their families and those who support us. Since 1915 the vision Sir Arthur Pearson has benefitted many, who thanks to St Dunstan’s, look forward to fulfilling, independent futures.’
The Awards were presented as follows:
• Award for Special Achievement: Joan Osborne
• Community Award: The Revd David Youngson
• Innovator of the Year Award: Cornish Assn. of Woodturners
• Award for Creative Art: Gordon Aston
• Sports Person of the Year: Alan Lock
• Volunteer of the Year Award: Vera Bunker
• Training Achievement Award: Dai Jones
• Chairman’s Commendations for outstanding Service: Martin Shail, Janis Sharp, Louise Timms
Award winners included Joan Osbourne, the daughter of a St Dunstaner, who was presented with the ‘Special Achievement’ Award. For the past 60 years, Joan has tirelessly cared for husband Bob, also a St Dunstaner. In addition, she has helped to run various clubs at St Dunstan’s which provide a social network for many St Dunstaners. The Reverend David Youngson, winner of the ‘Community Award’ has for the past 28 years, shown dedication in bringing news and features to many blind and partially sighted people via his monthly magazine, available free of charge on tape and CD. The Cornish Association of Woodturners was honoured as ‘Innovator of the Year’ to reward their willingness and ingenuity in adapting to the needs of blind and partially sighted woodturners in the area.
St Dunstaner Richard Gordon Aston undefeated by his sight loss, has continued to pursue his passion for art. Gordon wins awards for his paintings and sculptures on a regular basis. His ongoing achievement was recognised with the ‘Award for Creative Art’. St Dunstaner Alan Lock was awarded as ‘Sports Person of the Year Award’, he ran the Marathon des Sables and was also the first blind person to row across the Atlantic. Vera Bunker is a longstanding volunteer who has supported St Dunstan’s and St Dustaners in many ways over the years, she was named ‘Volunteer of the Year’. St Dunstaner David (Dai) Jones undertook an advanced IT training course which involved familiarising himself with various tools and programmes both under supervision and as part of personal study. His dedication was rewarded with a ‘Training Achievement Award’.
St Dunstan’s Staff Martin Shail (Trainee Support Worker, and a St Dunstaner), Janis Sharp (IT Supervisor) and Louise Timms (Sports and Recreation Supervisor) were also recognised for their outstanding service and dedication with Chairman’s Commendations.