Hartlepool hospice volunteer nominated for award

Dedicated volunteer Alan Fawcett is in the running for honours after devoting a decade to helping a hospice.
Alan Fawcett, who has been nominated for a Best of Hartlepool Award.Alan Fawcett, who has been nominated for a Best of Hartlepool Award.
Alan Fawcett, who has been nominated for a Best of Hartlepool Award.

The Hartlepool man is so loved by the team at Alice House Hospice that they have nominated him for a Best of Hartlepool Award.

But Alan was stunned to be highlighted and said: “I am surprised and honoured to have been nominated.”

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Alice House Hospice provides free specialist palliative and end of life care to patients from Hartlepool and East Durham.

Alan started working there as a volunteer in 2008.

“He is now voluntarily working five days a week - for eight hours a day - and does longer if he’s needed.”

He works as a van assistant collecting bagged donations and furniture.

You will also find him in the hospice’s shops when needed but he can turn his hand to anything.

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A spokesman said: “He opens and locks up, cashes up, sorts donations and serves customers.”

He helps out at some of the hospice’s well-known events such as Dogs Day Out and the “Colour Run.

“Nothing is too much trouble for him,” said the spokesman. “He has a lovely personality, good sense of humour and will work every hour to help patients and families who are facing difficulties most of us can’t even imagine.

“Everyone working for Alice House whether staff or volunteers would love to see Alan recognised for the incredible service he has unstintingly given for many years.”

He joins a growing list of entries for this year’s awards.

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But we want more. This is your chance to give those very special unsung heroes the praise they so richly deserve. We have loads of categories to enter your nomination in. Take a look at the list below and choose the right one for your community favourite.

In fact, don’t limit yourself to putting forward one hero. Feel free to put as many nominations in as you like, as we are sure there are loads of worthy causes out there.

Here are the categories to choose from;

* Young Performer of the Year (Under 21);

* Green Champion;

* Student of the Year;

* Fundraiser of the Year;

* Volunteer of the year;

* Sporting Excellence;

* Community Group;

* Community Champion;

* Child of Courage;

* Child of Achievement;

* Emergency services award;

* Carer of the Year;

* Neighbour of the Year;

* Sports team of the year;

* Role model of the Year;

* Lifetime Achievement award.

Stagecoach, the Northern School of Art, Hart Biologicals, Joel D. Kerr Funeral Services, Utility Alliance Ltd, Tilly Baily and Irvine, the Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees Clinical Commissioning Group, and English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College are the backers in this year’s competition and we thank them all.

We want you to nominate people by post to Lynn Wild, Sunderland Echo, Alexander House, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland. DH4 5RA.

Alternatively, you can email [email protected], or nominate HERE.

The deadline for entries is Friday, October 26.