CIRENCESTER Macmillan Committee have been awarded 'Committee of the Year' for the South West region in this year's Macmillan Volunteer Awards.

The award comes as the Cirencester Committee celebrates 40 years of fundraising for Macmillan.

The award was presented on August 15 to Jenny Jarvis the chair of the committee, by Catherine North, Macmillan fundraising manager for Gloucestershire.

The Committee of the Year award recognises groups of people that have made a special impact on their community and exceptional achievements through teamwork.

Since they formed, the Macmillan Cirencester Committee have raised more than £700,000 and in the last five years they have averaged £45,000 annually.

Catherine North, Macmillan Fundraising Manager said: “I have been fortunate to work with this committee for the past 12 years as their local Fundraising Manager and it gives me enormous pleasure to award this hardworking group of friends 'Committee of the Year', especially as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary year.

"What they have achieved is amazing and a real testament to their dedication, hard work and community spirit.”

Committee chair Jenny Jarvis added: “This is a huge honour for the Cirencester Macmillan Committee, I am so proud to work with such a hard-working, enthusiastic team who pull out all the stops and never fail.”

The committee's annual curry & quiz nights and sausage and mash evenings regularly sell out and individually raise in excess of £2000 on the night.

In 2015, they were instrumental in setting up a support group for young adults who had been affected by cancer, this group meets on a regular basis.

They also started a regular drop in session called 'Natter & Chatter' at a local coffee shop in January last year, it is open to everyone and provides a regular opportunity for people who have either had a cancer diagnosis and need support, or those who wish to give their time to support Macmillan to meet.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Cirencester Committee and supporting Macmillan Cancer Support you can contact Jenny Jarvis on jenny@alexcars.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can call the Macmillan Fundraising Support Centre on 0300 1000 200 Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm or visit www.macmillan.org.uk to find out how you can support people affected by cancer and their families.