An event which ’celebrates the valuable contribution volunteers make to island life’.

That is how Alison Lester, organiser of Volunteer Week has described the event which comes to a close tomorrow (Saturday).

The week began with a charity fair held in the Garden Room at the Sefton Hotel, Harris Promenade, Douglas, where charities and groups raised awareness of the work of their volunteers.

The event is designed to get charities and potential volunteers together.

Alison added: ’We are extremely lucky in the Isle of Man that so many people want to give their time freely for the benefit of others.

’This event is a way of helping our community and thanking volunteers for the work they do.’

The event was well attended by groups and charities such as Cruse Bereavement Care, Housing Matters, Hospice Isle of Man, Bridge the Gap, the Scouts and others.

Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford MHK said: ’At the DHSC we are very grateful for the support our hospitals receive from dedicated teams of volunteers, and recognise the role volunteers play in the wider public sector.

’The recruitment fair is a wonderful event which brings charities and organisations together for a common aim, while offering potential helpers an abundance of choice and information.’

The event at the Sefton is being hailed as a success by organisers who were pleased with the number of people who attended and have offered their time.

Alison said: ’The volunteer recruitment event was very well attended, initial information received from the organisations present on the day indicates that most of the tables had over 30 ’hits’, giving out leaflets, verbal information etc, and in some instances signing up to five volunteers on the day.

’For me, the whole ethos around organising this event is to help any organisation no matter how small, have the opportunity to raise the profile of the valuable work they do and to hopefully recruit that one volunteer who could make a difference’.

The 2018 event was opened by the Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney who had previously praised the island’s caring and charitable nature and was attended by Douglas Mayor Councillor Debbie Pitts.

Already planning ahead, any groups or charities that would like to be involved in next year’s event, or for more information, contact Volunteer Week IoM on Facebook or [email protected]