Behind the Scenes Volunteer Award Winner (sponsored by Umber Creative) and Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award Winner (supported by MADL)

Award Winner, Graham Drury, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

For a decade, Graham has been a volunteer driver and maintenance man, saving Hearing Dogs for the Deaf thousands of pounds. He loads and drives the ‘pupmobile’, pulling a large trailer to fundraisers taking place from Aberdeen to Doncaster, Harrogate to Hull. As a regular Handy Andy, Graham does everything from building furniture to fixing locks. But he knows how to go the extra mile or 200, and dismantles gazebos in a downpour, collects and empties poo bags, and even dons Bruce-the-Hearing-Dog mascot suit to fly the flag at presentations. All at 77 years old!

Graham, who worked as a tanker driver for forty years, explained that his volunteering career began when he offered to drive a minibus and that he hasn’t looked back.

He said: “I get a lot of satisfaction from what I do and it is hard to take any credit because I love every minute. I don’t see the impact of my work because I just turn up and drive to places or fix things. I am amazed to win and to know what a difference I make. It is a fantastic feeling.” He added: “I am 77, and I will keep going until I am 99 if I can.”

Time2Volunteer Awards delivered by The HEY Smile Foundation and Partners, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Nisa Retail's Charity: Making a Difference Locally and Hull CVS.