A DEVOTED volunteer who has dedicated her life to help others and a teenager who raises funds to improve facilities for her Dartmoor village are this year's winners of the West Devon Mayoral Awards. West Devon Mayor Cllr Ken Williams, who will present the awards to Myrtle Salter of Tavistock and Princetown's 16-year-old Jade Marchant later this month, said they were 'shining examples of good for all to follow.' The awards are held annually to promote the achievements of residents and groups in the borough. The first category, to a young person under the age of 18, was awarded to Jade, a Year 11 student at Tavistock College. Jade's achievements include winning an award of more than £2,000 to rent premises and equipment to provide, with other members of Princetown Youth Club, a free internet information service to residents. The service also includes internet training for villagers. But Jade's fundraising abilities didn't stop there. She was awarded a further £3,000 grant from the Camelot Foundation to go towards a youth shelter in Princetown and she has played an active role in raising money for the new youth and sports centre. She was nominated by Princetown councillor Wendy Stones, who said Jade had 'determinedly set about improving facilities for residents.' She said: 'Jade is very keen for young people in the village to be given the opportunity to influence decisions that affect them and their environment. To this end she is currently spearheading the setting up of a Youth Council. 'She provides an admirable role model for other young people in the borough.' The second award, to over 18s, goes to Myrtle Salter, known and loved by generations of children as the former secretary at Tavistock Primary School. Now in her eighties, she has, for decades, quietly given her time, energy and compassion to help others in the community. One of the many charities to benefit from her devoted work is the Tavistock Branch of the Muscular Dystrophy (MD) Campaign. For more than 35 years, the Tavistock MD group has been organising an annual holiday for boys from Devon and Cornwall suffering from the condition. Myrtle was for many years secretary of the group, remains a committee member, played a major role in fundraising and, during those holidays, also took on the role of cook and carer. The National Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has recognized the amazing work of the Tavistock branch, and Myrtle's dedicated contribution. A long-standing member of Tavistock Methodist Church, Myrtle is also involved in many other areas of volunteer work. She was nominated by Dawn Sherrell and David Dodd on behalf of the Tavistock MD Group. Dawn said: 'Myrtle is one of those amazing, steadfast "behind the scenes" people. 'One of her most important achievements each year for us is her organisation of the annual collection week. She cajoles a veritable army of volunteers into action - and covers an incredible mileage herself on foot, delivering collection boxes or actually collecting door to door herself! 'Myrtle has the most wonderful personality and sense of humour, and has been loved and cherished over the years by friends and acquaintances of all ages and from all backgrounds. We salute her and can only hope to emulate a fraction of her care for others, her enthusiasm, stamina and wonderful love of life. She is a true credit to West Devon!' Cllr Williams said: 'Myrtle and Jade have selflessly done so much to enhance the quality of life of those in their communities and are a credit to the borough and a shining examples of good for all to follow.'
