A volunteer who drives hundreds of miles each month to support her community has been recognised for her efforts.

On February 9, Margaret Clark attended an event at 11 Downing Street, after being named in the Sternberg Charitable Foundation Active Life Award 2023.

The award is jointly organised by The Times and the Sternberg Charitable Foundation Active Life Award.

Margaret was recognised as one of five runners-up for this prestigious award as she volunteers at VCAEC for the social car scheme, and has done so since 1999.

The award is presented annually to those who still volunteer after they reach the age of 70. The winner of the award was still actively volunteering aged 94!

Margaret was nominated because she drives hundreds miles each month taking vulnerable members of the community to important appointments and she also acts as an administrator running the car desk.

“I nominated Margaret as she has volunteered with us for just under 23 years, said Angela Haylock, deputy CEO at VCAEC.

"She is an amazing lady and it has been a privilege to work with her over the past nine years, and long may it continue.” 

Margaret says: “I love driving and that is why I volunteer as a driver for the social car scheme.” 

Margaret volunteers for the Ely & District Volunteer Centre and the Community Voluntary Sector organisation for East Cambridgeshire.

The group assist organisations and individuals with their volunteering needs.

They also support voluntary organisations with their needs which range from funding assistance to information and training.

There is the Helping Hands Gardening Scheme where volunters assist disadvantaged people with their gardens. The work ranges from a quick once a week tidy up to a complete garden makeover.

The Ely Social Car Scheme allows disadvantaged people to make journeys, such as hospital appointments, their weekly shop or the hairdressers.

Both these schemes are run entirely on the goodwill of volunteers. Visit www.vcaec.org.uk for more details.