THE Health and Wellbeing Individual award in the 2019 PAVO (Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations) Powys Volunteer of the Year awards has gone to a Presteigne woman.

Paula Randell has been volunteering for Macmillan Cancer Support for the past seven years, raising more than £5,000, which has helped the organisation to invest in services in Powys, critical in a county with no district general hospital.

“Paula is a remarkable woman with her heart set on helping and supporting her local community and is an inspiration to us all,” said Paula’s nominator for the PAVO award.

Paula has also established and developed a local drop-in service in Presteigne for people affected by cancer; providing emotional support, signposting to local services and information on the services Macmillan can provide.

The drop-in has provided support for more than 40 people by providing an attentive ear.and a service user commented: “It’s nice to have a chat with a friendly face and to talk to someone that isn’t a close friend or family member as I cannot open up to them and show my true feelings and concerns as I do not want to worry them.”

The drop-in is now recognised by health professionals who refer patients to the service.

Paula helps with the Cancer Relay for Life, in Presteigne, which has become a large event with many in the community taking part.

She also attends the Volunteer Forum Meeting in Cardiff every three months which plans for the future.

Paula’s voluntary efforts have inspired Macmillan as an organisation, highlighting the service as a priority in Powys to further develop it county-wide and recruit additional volunteers.

The awards recognising individual and group contributions to volunteering were presented by the Hon Dame Shan Legge-Bourke at the Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells, on June 6 during National Volunteers Week.

PAVO chief executive Carl Cooper said: “Every day of every year an army of volunteers tirelessly serves the people and communities of Powys.

“PAVO’s annual volunteers of the year awards provide an opportunity to shine a little light on the impressive work of the few finalists, who represent the 60,000 others who volunteer in Powys each year. It is our privilege and pleasure to pay tribute to these selfless individuals and to express our deepest appreciation.”