VOLUNTEERS from Dunmow have been recognised for their enthusiasm and dedication to fundraising.

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Dunmow and Braintree branch was named as winners of the Fundraising Success (small branch) category in the NCT Stars Awards after raising almost �6000 in 2009. The total includes �3850 in grants and �1500 through a variety of events.

Branch and volunteer services manager, Ruth Howard, said: “All our volunteers enable us to support thousands of parents every year through an incredibly life-changing experience. These awards are an excellent opportunity for us to celebrate the particular achievements of some of our hard-working, creative and committed volunteers in our local branches.

“We hope their success will inspire others to get involved in whatever way they can.

“NCT has over 10,000 volunteers who give their time, energy and skills through a wide range of roles such as providing support for parents, co-ordinating activities, fundraising and editing newsletters.”

The NCT Stars Awards recognise the commitment of the volunteers who make a huge difference to the charity’s work and, as part of their local branch, help provide a much-needed support network for parents. They also recognised the hard work and dedication of the charity’s specialist workers who provide antenatal, postnatal and breastfeeding support to new parents, and who were nominated in three further categories.

There was more good news for the Dunmow and Braintree NCT branch after it was awarded a �1455 Awards for All grant by the Big Lottery Fund.

The windfall funded the attendance of members at the charity’s annual conference on May 15 and 16, as well as four issues of the branch newsletter and a new publicity leaflet.

Branch co-ordinator Lou Painter said: “Our success in being awarded this grant will allow us to make more local expectant and new parents aware of our support services both before and after the birth of their baby.

“We have also been able to motivate our volunteers further by their attendance at the national conference. We are very grateful to Awards for All for giving us this fantastic opportunity to support more local parents.”

The NCT has a network of 300 branches in the UK, dedicated to supporting parents via a range of services such as antenatal and postnatal courses, breastfeeding support, bumps and babies groups, coffee mornings and nearly new sales.

For details on the charity call 0330 330 0770 or visit their website at nct.org.uk