THE wonderful contribution volunteers make in Taunton Deane and West Somerset has been celebrated by West Somerset volunteering charity Engage.

The Star Volunteers for 2015 in both areas were named at awards ceremonies, timed to coincide with National Volunteers Week last week.

In Taunton Deane, the celebration took place last Wednesday, at the North Street Congregational Church.

Tommy Gill was named as the individual Star Volunteer 2015 for Taunton Deane. He is a volunteer mechanic at ‘On Your Bike (Recycle) Ltd’ where he helps refurbish scrapped bikes and then supports their users by training them in bike maintenance.The project provides reasonably priced bikes for work and play.

He was nominated by Lucy Workman, who said: “Tommy stands out because of how much he has achieved despite real hardships in his life, including a number of physical difficulties.

He is a real gem of a guy.”

The award for Star Group went to the North Curry Coffee Shop volunteers, who were nominated by North Curry Parish Council. The shop is a community project providing a meeting place for parishioners, sells food and drinks at affordable prices, and provides an outlet for local art, handicrafts, flowers and second-hand books, with all profits going to nominated charities or local groups. Since 2006, over £100,000 has been raised for good causes.

Tommy went on to receive the accolade of Overall Star Volunteer 2015 for Taunton Deane.

In West Somerset the ceremony was held at Minehead’s Beach Hotel.

Photos: Ash Magill.