Celebrating fantastic volunteers

iT4Communities, in conjunction with appiChar, recently sponsored the IT Volunteer of the Year Award at the Technology 4 Good Awards. We were overwhelmed by the standard of nominations although we've always known that IT volunteers are doing a fantastic job with charities up and down the country.

Sadly we've only room to mention the short-listed entries but well done to anyone who's volunteered recently. Keep up the good work!

Colin Crook nominated by Digital Unite - winner

When IBM agreed to support Digital Unite's Spring Online events in May Colin volunteered to co-ordinate the events. In a short space of time he organised 20 events and persuaded over 100 volunteers to help. He also arranged for equipment to be loaned to a housing association who didn't have their own. Colin said This has been a very large organisational challenge and I have done it because I think it will make a real difference.

David Hadley nominated by Anxiety UK

David has volunteered with Anxiety UK for over a year coding the charity's new website and overseeing new developments to their online community. Cat O'Neil from the charity commented David has a passion for ensuring that other people with anxiety gain support, he has played an active role in all the developments of our site and has given vast amounts of his personal time and energy to our IT system.

The award winners

Gary Hall nominated by Keyfund

Gary was put in touch with Keyfund by iT4Communities in January 2010. Since then he has audited their IT infrastructure, developed a backup policy and performed on-going technical support. At every stage he's provide clear, concise documentation. Marie Mumby of Keyfund says: Without this help we may well still have been going round in circles unable to find a solution as we could not properly identify the problems and needs.

James Seavers and David Moore of Symphony Online nominated by Rett Syndrome Research Trust UK

Contacted out of the blue by the founder of a brand new charity wanting help to create a web presence, James and David rose to the challenge. They designed and built a website and trained the founder, Rachael Bloom, to use the content management system. Rachael commented I have yet to work out what it is exactly that these guys got from working with us. But with every day that passes, with every pound we raise and with every step we move closer to treatment for Rett Syndrome, I fall deeper into their debt.

James Preece nominated by Runneymede Association for Voluntary Services (RAVS)

Despite having a young family James has sacrificed his lunch hours, evenings and weekends to upgrade RAVS' IT capacity bringing them into the 21st century. His work has enabled vital volunteers to carry out their work from home making their contributions to the organisation much more efficient. Solette Sheppardson of RAVS confirmed James has been a inspirational young man who has been ever present when needed over the last two years.

29th June 2011