9th Annual MP Heroes Tea is great success
“Thank you so much for all your hard work in organising the event. It was an extremely uplifting and interesting occasion (I also enjoyed the food!)”
Jo Blackledge
“There were some very interesting people sitting around me and what a treat to have David Blunkett addressing us with his lovely tales of volunteering as a teenager. I am sure, as I was, everyone in the room will have been very grateful for what you arranged for us and that we all get as much out of what we do as we give
Helen Dean
On 23rd June Volunteering Heroes came together again at the House of Commons for the 9th MP Heroes Tea Party. MPs from over 600 constituencies were invited to elect a Hero who has worked hard to make a difference by volunteering in their community.
The Tea Party was launched as a result of the International Year of Volunteering in 2001. TEC had the idea to ask MPs to invite an older person from their constituency to the House of Commons to congratulate them on their outstanding work in the community and to celebrate them as older volunteers.
On the day each ‘Hero’ was presented with a certificate by his or her MP with a commemorative photograph taken in the elegant surroundings of the Members Dining Room. The reception featured guest speaker David Blunkett MP and also interviews with three Heroes selected to represent the variety of wonderful work all the Heroes in the room have done for their various communities over the years.
The Janet Atfield Award, created in memory of Janet Atfield OBE, who was the founder of the MP Heroes event, was presented to Tina Tuohy by host Tom Levitt MP and Alison Seabeck MP (pictured, top right).
Alison gave the following reasons for Tina’s nomination: “Tina has lived in North Prospect for 31 years and has been involved with managing a series of Community Development Work since the late 1970’s. Tina’s work contributed to North Prospect being selected for a trailblazing Sure Start Project and this project is still going today. Tina was also instrumental in setting up a community crèche, childcare training for local women, youth work and widening access to education for local adults.
In 2004 Tina was a founder member of the Group for Arts in Swilly – attracting a number of art and cultural activities for residents of all ages. For the last four years Tina has been involved n establishing the framework for Plymouth Community Homes.
Tina’s skills, commitment and tenancity have served the local community for over 30 years – she is a trure hero.”
Throughout the presentation and speeches everyone enjoyed tea and cakes overlooking the River Thames whilst ITV and BBC camera crews looked on.
“a most enjoyable event for me, as it was a privilege to be meeting and greeting people who do so much for the community and to see their shining faces when we have identified them as an MP's 'local hero'. It is humbling too to know how many years they have worked as volunteers and that they continue do so now, even though many are fairly ancient! The whole event makes me feel that this is one of the most heartening sides of life in the UK and a wonderful counterbalance to the doom and gloom which the media tends to focus on. I have to admit that being in such an illustrious and historic setting does add to the sparkle of the day- after all the Palace of Westminster is where so much of life is decided for us and by us as a nation and it does feel good to be part of it.”
Jan Bartlett - TEC Volunteer
