I AM writing to congratulate all the volunteers on all their hard work and commitment featured in 'The Evesham Journal' on Thursday, May 31.

I am referring to the article entitled 'See how rewarding volunteering can be.' In my opinion local volunteers do not get the recognition, or the appreciation that they deserve. The importance of the local volunteers is not too clear to some local people, because they do not realise that without these volunteers lots of local organisations would find it hard to survive.

The National Volunteers Week is a great way to emphasise all the hard work the volunteers do and all the worthy organisations they do it for. It is also a great opportunity for people to come and experience the great work that is done by these volunteers. Hopefully the people who visit these organisations at the times and days arranged, will themselves volunteer so they can help others and give something back to the community too. The organisations that are helped by local volunteers deal with very serious issues of modern day society, such as homelessness in young people and elderly care.

The award ceremony for the volunteers is something that I have a lot of respect for and is something that would be a worthwhile function to attend. These award ceremonies should be a more regular occurrence and we should celebrate and praise the work done by all the local volunteers. The people who receive these certificates are selfless and honourable.

My congratulations to the local volunteers again.

LEAH JONES, Falkland Road, Four Pools, Evesham.