Active Older People Award

This award recognises older people who have made a real contribution to the lives and wellbeing of their community.

Runner-up:

Retired nurse Mary Ball, from Penrith, was bitten by the caring bug a long time ago. And after 17 years of volunteering at the Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle, she shows no signs of slowing down. She regularly helps out in the day care unit, organises fundraising and works in the shop. She was nominated for the Active Older People award by Leona Cameron, voluntary service manager at the hospice. She said: “Mary will do anything for anybody – she’s always enthusiastic, full of energy and committed to her duties. She contributes love, warmth and laughter and she’s loved by us all in the hospice.”

Winner:

Even in his seventies, Ian Stockdale is a champion of his village community. Based in Arlecdon, Frizington, he juggles voluntary roles from village hall caretaker to emergency first responder. A retired dairy farmer, he also helps out at the local history group and an older person’s lunch club. Emma Benson, of Age Concern in Cleator Moor, nominated him for the Active Older People award. She said: “He’s just generally a very community-minded person. He’s very caring and I would like him to be recognised.” She added that, because older volunteers are 80 per cent women, to find a man doing so much is particularly special.