Goonhilly manager helps charity (From Falmouth Packet)

Goonhilly manager helps charity

10:30am Saturday 4th July 2009

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A St Ives charity has been given a major financial boost- thanks to the work of one of its volunteers, a manager based at BT's Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station.

Ivor McClure’s dedication was recognised by Sir Mike Rake, BT’s Chairman, at the Chairman’s Awards.

These awards are the highest accolade of one of the company’s longest running and highly regarded employee charity schemes, BT Community Champions.

Every year the Chairman’s awards receive hundreds of applications from outstanding community champions, who commit time, energy, their life skills and talent for the benefit of society and their local area.

The applicants are then short listed by a global judging panel from across the company, with the winners being hand picked by the chairman himself.

This year, engineering manager Ivor McClure was presented with the Chairman’s Award for Youth. Ivor is a trustee of St Ives-based ‘Kidz R Us’, which was set up16 years ago after the success of a one-off charity concert.

It now encourages youngsters, regardless of background, to participate in the performing arts for their own personal benefit and for the benefit of the wider community.

Ivor is responsible for strategic development and planning and also oversees all technical services from lighting to specific technical engineer requirements. The group prides itself on very high production standards, which inspires discipline, pride and confidence with the 100 plus members, some who are as young as six.

Ivor McClure said: “I’m thrilled at winning this award. The volunteering has helped me develop and grow personally and professionally and the acknowledgement I’ve received today makes me feel really valued. The £3000 award will allow us to modernise the sound and lighting equipment, which will take our performances to another level.

"It’s great to be recognised in this way and I’d like to recognise the hard work of all the other volunteers in the group as well. We get just as much from this as the kids do.”

Sir Mike Rake added: “This is the second year I’ve presided over these awards and I’m very impressed by the dedication and selflessness showed by all the volunteers.

"I’m proud of them all and I’m pleased that BT is able to give back to the community by supporting and encouraging our employees in this way. I’d like to extend my personal thanks to, and admiration for, everyone involved in local community work across the UK and throughout the world. Congratulations again to Ivor for his outstanding contribution.”

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