Labour AM for Gwynedd JOYCE WATSON AM used her Assembly debate to pay tribute to local conservation volunteers.In her Assembly short debate she used her half-hour slot to talk about the importance of the voluntary sector in Wales and of charity at Christmas.
She asked local people to consider volunteering, and told AMs about the generosity and hard work of local charities who make such a difference to their communities.
MRS WATSON said:
"Without volunteers many services and activities we take for granted in our communities would not exist. Schools and hospitals as well as youth clubs and sports clubs all rely on volunteers to keep going, and in my role as an Assembly Member I have had the privilege of meeting many inspiring people who generously give their time to a whole variety of good causes."
She said: "In Llandanwg near Harlech I was lucky enough to join volunteers who selflessly help to preserve their local heritage and improve the environment by planting and maintaining their local train station. People like these are real unseen heroes."
Joyce added:
"The economic downturn has really put a squeeze on charities - at a time when many charities are experiencing an increase in demand for their services, they are having to do so with less money.
"So this Christmas, more than ever, charities need people who are in the position to be generous with their time, as well their wallets, to get involved and help when and where they can.
"One way is to think about the presents that you buy and how they can make a difference. Oxfam’s Unwrapped initiative is an increasingly popular way of giving a meaningful present and something as simple as buying Fair Trade makes a positive difference to some of the poorest people in the world.
"And if you are interested in doing voluntary work there are lots of organisations that can help you to find a suitable placement, a good place to start is the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and the Volunteering Wales website.
"Like many people, I’ve spent the past few evenings working my way through my Christmas card list and in doing so I’ve read dozens of those festive quotes and sayings that are always printed inside. My own favourite is by the American essayist Washington Irving, who said "Christmas [is] the season for kindling…the genial fire of charity in the heart".
"So, this Christmas, whether volunteering at a community event or helping deliver services to vulnerable individuals, or helping raise money for the poorest people in the world, I hope that people will think about doing their bit and – as is often the case – that once people make the initial step into voluntary work this Christmas, it will light a fire of charity that will burn for the rest of the year."
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