Christchurch volunteer Ben Carr has been honoured for 28 years of work with prisoners and their families by Volunteering Canterbury.
At a special ceremony during Volunteer Awareness Week, Ben, 85, received a ‘Volunteer Recognition Award’ from Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban. In all, 20 recognition awards were made with the Minister telling the recipients: ‘You deserve this recognition and we need to continue to celebrate and value the positive goodwill that is in our people.’
Ben regularly visits prisoners at both Christchurch Men’s and Rolleston Prisons, providing friendship and encouragement, without judgment. South Island Regional Volunteer Coordinator, Renee Jones, says: ‘Ben is a caring and selfless person. His tireless efforts to support and motivate prisoners are greatly appreciated by both the men and staff alike. We are lucky to have him and benefit from his good work.’
Ben, a former World War Two merchant seaman, is no stranger to such accolades. In 2000 he received the Queen’s Service Medal – awarded ‘for valuable voluntary service to the community.’
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