VOLUNTEERS across West Devon were 'counted' as part of Volunteers' Week celebrations and received a certificate commemorating their role. As part of a Devon wide 'Count Me In!' project, participants are being asked to record the hours of voluntary activity they do to help build a picture of the enormous contribution volunteers are making. Volunteers Week (June 1 to 7) recognised the amount of time people give to support voluntary and community organisations in a wide range of roles. Among them were three volunteers from Oxfam in Tavistock — Margaret Normile, Malcolm Andrew and Louise Kelly — who received their certificates from Billie Burnett, Volunteer Centre co-ordinator and Jacqui Wolstenholme the rural outreach officer. Billie told the Times: 'These volunteers make such a vital contribution, I cannot speak too highly of their efforts. They make a difference in so many ways, to hundreds of different groups within the local community.' Margaret Normile of Plymouth Road, retired and in her 60s, has been working three half days a week in the Oxfam shop for the past five years. She said: 'I work on the shop till. What I enjoy is meeting the public, with so many people of all ages coming in. I've made so many friends and I feel I'm also making a small contribution through Oxfam to help people in the Third World who need our help.' Malcolm Andrew, 63, from Down Road, donates two mornings per week as a volunteer to the Oxfam book and music shop in Tavistock. His wife Lena is also a volunteer — working in the gardens at Cotehele House for the National Trust. Malcolm, who is a retired professor of English from the University of London, told the Times: 'I had some time on my hands and Oxfam was a charity I have always supported and donated to since I was in my 20s. I have always been interested in the Oxfam book shops and meeting people so it was the perfect place for me.' Another volunteer who enjoys working in the book and music shop is Louise Kelly. Louise, aged 28 from Buctor Park, said: 'It's such a sociable place and love the fact that I am working for a charity that can help make a difference. I think its also important that we help Oxfam get its message across.' The Volunteer Centres in Tavistock and Okehampton sent 'Count Me In!' certificates to all volunteers registered with the project to commemorate their activities. There have also been displays in both town libraries and Oxfam shop windows. Anyone who gives their time to help a group, team, club, school or other organisation can participate and, as the project continues until March next year, it is not too late to be counted. Volunteers who participate in the survey will receive a certificate and be entered into a cash prize draw of £25. Voluntary organisations that register their volunteers could win £1,000! Volunteers yet to take part can contact the Volunteer Centres in Tavistock (5 King Street) on 01822 618224 or Okehampton (The Carlton Centre in St James Street) on 01837 55047. Alternatively they can complete a quick form online through http://www.volunteerdevon.net">www.volunteerdevon.net . There are also forms available in both town libraries until mid-July.
