Hearts of Gold Award recognition for Wisbech Girls Venture Corps

A girls organisation which does a lot of work in the community has been recognised with a special award.

Wisbech Girls Venture Corps Cadets has been presented with a UK Hearts of Gold Award by the locally-based Linking Hands Charity.

The awards, which were started during the pandemic, recognise groups and individuals for the work they do in the community.

Steven Schooling, from Wisbech St Mary, who runs the charity with his wife Linda, explained the awards are for anyone who has helped others.

But this year there is the added twist of Steven and Linda visiting local groups to talk about mental health and well-being on top of presenting the awards.

Steven explained Linking Hands is a self-supported charity which offers a range of free services including bereavement counselling, alcohol and drug rehab, as well as cancer support.

He said: "There is so much negativity going on in the world, it's nice to do something to highlight all the good things."

The Wisbech Girls Venture Corps Cadets have been recognised for their work not only in keeping the group going through the pandemic but for the community work they do like giving girls a place to go and to join in and make new friends.

Steven said: "Linda and myself visited them on Wednesday (10) and had a great night and witnessed first hand what they do while having fun, they are fully on board in helping to get the mental health message across to people.

"They help out where ever they can doing the remembrance day parade and other events."

Barbara Oliver who helps run the group said they were delighted to receive the award.

The group is open to girls aged 10 to 18 and meets weekly on Wednesdays at the cadet centre in Sandyland from 7pm to 9pm. Anyone interested in joining is welcome to go along or to contact Barbara on 07876593973.