Several hundred people packed a function room at the Christchurch City Council on Monday June 20th for the annual Volunteering Canterbury “Volunteer Recognition Awards” ceremony.

Thirty-seven individuals and groups of volunteers representing a diverse range of organisations were given awards. The huge contribution volunteers make to the lives of those they work with was very moving to hear.

Les Gray, a volunteer with the Hagley Adult Literacy Centre (HALC) since early 2017, was honoured for his dedication to the students of the First Steps to Literacy class. Les has volunteered two mornings a week for the last five years and he also does a third session with a learner in the community. He brings awesome skills and experience from a long career in the teaching field, along with his caring, compassionate, patient, warm and engaging manner. He is a brick – very reliable and dedicated to the learners and their needs.

HALC has 50 active volunteer tutor assistants who work across most of the classes at Champion Street, the main school campus and many community locations around the city. The tutors and the learners really appreciate the skills, time, energy, and commitment of our volunteers.