[Photo: Blaby District Council]

Over 500 hours of volunteering has been gifted to local voluntary groups during the second annual Blaby District Council Community Volunteer Week.

19 organisations from all over the local area will benefit from 115 Council employees joining volunteers in contributing to the district. Following the huge demand of last year’s event, the scheme has been extended to a fortnight, with more projects taking place this week.

Over forty volunteers from local business and partners have also contributed. Kirby Muxloe Primary School were visited by Everards Brewery, Leicester Marriott Hotel helped out at Danemill Primary School, whilst Everyone Active and Supporting Leicestershire Families volunteered at Thurlaston Primary School.

A huge range of tasks have been undertaken so far, including weeding and manure shovelling at Community Harvest Whetstone, helping serve food at the Commbus Lunch Club and leafleting for the Sapcote Good Neighbour Scheme.

Councillor Sheila Scott, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing Strategy, Economic & Community Development, said: “Our second Community Volunteer Week has been another major success, giving Council colleagues the chance to make a huge contribution to the local area. We are all very proud to have such a successful scheme.

“We are also particularly pleased to see our local businesses, Leicester Marriott Hotel, Everards and Everyone Active taking part too, and shows their commitment to their corporate social responsibility and being a part of the Blaby District community.”

Stephen Gould, Managing Director of Everards, said: “We were delighted to get involved with Volunteer Week. Pubs are at the heart of local communities so it’s natural for us to contribute in initiatives like this.

“As an independent, family business we are linked to a number of local causes as are the Everard family. We had a great day supporting the school which is local to our Glenfield base and the students seemed to approve of our work!”

Huncote Community Library were one of the early voluntary groups to receive help, with the Health & Leisure team pitching in to clear an overgrown area and improve access to the library. Treasurer Hilary Comyn said: “The four volunteers have done a marvellous job. They were enthusiastic even though it was hard work!

“This had needed doing for a long time and I’m not sure it would have been completed without the help of the volunteers.”

For more information about Community Volunteer Week visit www.blaby.gov.uk/community-volunteer-week or email strategic.partnerships@blaby.gov.uk.

The 19 projects who have benefitted from Community Volunteer Week:

[Photos: Blaby District Council]