His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex with African Prison Project’s Alex McLean

WINNER: Alex McLean (African Prison Project)
Alex has carried out a variety of renovation work in prisons in Uganda, Sierra Leone and Kenya. He has set up agriculture projects for inmates and has supplied some 30,000 library books. His work in both Uganda and Sierra Leone is a risky business for which he has put aside his personal safety to carry out. The work he undertakes with prisoners and their harsh conditions is harrowing, but his empathy and humanity for prisoners is refreshing and his understanding of the needs and potential of those prisoners is enlightening. The judges said he represented everything that is special about volunteers, volunteering, and about the voluntary sector. They said it was amazing what one person could do – such a short sentence but such a big statement.

Highly Commended : Richard Moore (Tearfund)

Finalist: Anne Pridmore (British Council of Disabled People)
Finalist: Jo Jones (Contact a Family)
Finalist: John Watkins (Farleigh Hospice)