The far-reaching impact of the voluntary sector in the borough was marked at the Community Achievement Awards last Friday.

Sammie Davies – an active member of the Kiveton Park Youth Centre – collected the prize for Young Volunteer of the Year.

She helped raise cash for the Tanzania Project, a country where she has spent time volunteering in schools and orphanages.

Judges said the youngster was ‘outstanding’ and stood out from the other nominees because of the way she ‘couples effort with amazing humility’.

Other finalists were Jamie Seddon, who devotes three days a week at the Rotherham Volunteer Centre and Ashley White, founder of dance and theatre group Steps Productions.

The 2009 Volunteer Award was scooped by Ian Jarvis, who has given his spare time as a community first responder for the Ambulance Service for the past nine years.

His role involves providing critical rapid-response treatment and support to patients in his area who have called for an ambulance.

“Volunteering in Rotherham has never been stronger, with greater breadth of activities and certainly an improved quality of delivery, so picking a winner was a difficult task,” said judge Brian Chapple.

“The judges felt the Ian has shown long-term, selfless commitment which has impacted enormously in the Maltby area and he exemplifies all that is best about volunteering in the borough.”

Guardian Rose recipient Bernie Byrne, who tends to the gardens at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice on a full-time volunteer basis, was also nominated. The other finalist was Joan Eaglestone, a specialist benefits adviser for the disabled at Citizens Advice Bureau.

The Volunteer Service at the Rotherham Hospice took first place in the Community Project category. This group comprises more than 250 individuals who freely give their time to support hospice staff with clinical care, counselling and general patient support.

Coun Mahroof Hussain, who presented the award, said: “The long hours the volunteers devote to the hospice, coupled with the broad range of skills they possess has a huge impact on the quality of life of those suffering with terminal illnesses.”

“The team’s dedication should be applauded and recognised by the wider community.”

Other finalists were Rush House Project where homeless youngsters receive help with accommodation and skills training and Eastwood and Springwell United, an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of local residents.