Volunteer of the Year Award 2015: Pat and Bill McKenzie

Pat McKenzie 2016 s

Pat McKenzie with Cllr Steve Forster

Hart District Council Chairman’s Award for Fleet Pond Society’s Volunteer of the Year 2015

Cathy Holden writes:

For the first time since its inception, this award was given to two people, in recognition of their years of work behind the scenes for the Society; sister and brother, Pat and Bill McKenzie. Pat consistently volunteers at various events supporting the Society. Bill is a very keen gardener and, with Pat, has raised funds for the Society through selling the excess produce from his vegetable garden.

Pat accepted the award on behalf of both of them from Councillor Steve Forster at the Society’s recent AGM. Cllr Forster is Portfolio holder on Hart Cabinet for Environment and Technical Services.

On hearing their names announced Pat said she was: ‘Completely overwhelmed; it was such a surprise. After receiving the award, I rang Bill on my mobile and he was absolutely delighted – although he couldn’t believe it at first.’

The Chairman’s Award was set up by Councillor Sharyn Wheale during her time as Hart Council Chairman in 2009. The aim is to recognise the voluntary contribution made over the preceding year to Fleet Pond or to the Society. The Fleet Pond Society Executive Committee is set the task of choosing a deserving volunteer.

Chairman of the Society, Colin Gray said: ‘The Society always tries to select someone whose work behind the scenes is not clearly visible or has not been fully recognised. This year the Committee felt that Pat and Bill were the perfect recipients.’

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