RAF Marham Nominate a Volunter Dinner and Awards Ceremony - 5 September 2007



Group Captain Phil Osborn with the winners, SAC Steve Henderson and Mrs Michelle Morano and Mrs Liz Turner.

RAF Marham launched the ‘Nominate A Volunteer’ Campaign back in June to coincide with National Volunteer Week 1-7 June 2007. RAF personnel have always been encouraged to support their community by volunteering to work with charitable and non-profit making organisations. The Campaign was launched to recognise the efforts of not only RAF personnel but also everyone associated with RAF Marham and reward their efforts. Nominations were made from all areas of RAF life and all nominees were invited to celebrate their achievements at a lunch attended by the Station Commander, on 5 September 2007 in the Junior Ranks Mess.

The Individual Award went to SAC Steve Henderson. Steve attended the Volunteer Fayre at RAF Marham during October 2006. He approached two organisations, NCH and National Trust to see how he could help them with being a volunteer. The National Trust provided some training for him on discrimination and disability awareness and sent him to work at Oxburgh Hall. His first job was to dress up as a hedgehog and entertain the children whilst he accompanied a guide who was giving them a tour of the Hall.

After speaking with the NCH coordinator he realised this work was a little more in-depth. He completed all the required paperwork to establish his suitability in this line of work, which was to be a home visiting scheme. He attended a medical and a 7-week training course and then was put forward to a panel to decide if he should proceed. They decided he should be placed and he met the child he was matched to in June 2007. Since then, Steve has given up his time at weekends to spend time with the little boy.

The Team award went to Mrs Michelle Morano and Mrs Liz Turner who run the ‘Home Alone’ group. The group meets every Friday morning for those spouses who find themselves home alone. It is very popular and Liz and Michelle ensure everybody is made welcome. They provide a listening ear, not just on Friday morning but at anytime during the day and week. The voluntary service they provide was an initiative driven by altruistic individuals who have made a huge effort to sustain an important facility.

The Station Commander thanked all the volunteers at the lunch for all that they do and stated that without such people RAF Marham would not be the place that it is.

This was a new initiative but It is hoped that this occasion can be repeated. Not only is it dependant on the volunteers but also the people to nominate them.

The winners were SAC Steve Henderson and Mrs Michelle Morano and Mrs Liz Turner.



Background Information
RAF Marham Nominate A Volunteer - 1-7 June 2007

To coincide with National Volunteer Week 1-7 June 2007, RAF Marham Community Support Squadron have launched the ‘Nominate A Volunteer’ Campaign.

RAF personnel have always been encouraged to support their community by volunteering to work with charitable and non-profit making organisations. In order to recognise the efforts of not only RAF personnel, but also everybody associated with RAF Marham. This campaign has been launched to reward and recognise all volunteers. Please look in the ‘Any Volunteers’ booklet, which will be delivered separately to your accommodation, with a nomination form, and see how you can help.

To promote one success story within Community Support Squadron, Cpl Steve Henderson, a chef in the Officers’ Mess tells his story of how volunteering has helped him and the community (his story appears in the booklet).

Closing date for nominations was 26 July 2007




Work in Progress
Community Support Squadron is preparing a bid to RAF Central Funds and external providers for funding to finance the above projects. Flight Sergeant Hardwick is project managing this bid and will be consulting with all interested parties during June 2007. If you would like to discuss the project please call him on Ext 6781.