A COUPLE from Basingstoke who volunteer for a charity that supports families with young children in the borough have been given a very special award.
The Rotary Club of Basingstoke presented Julie and Steve Rebbettes with the award after the happily married pair were nominated for selfless service to the community.
Julie and Steve, who volunteer at The Safe charity, allowed two families to have a holiday in their caravan for free. The Rotary Club every year supplies families who can't afford a holiday one free of charge.
The award was presented to them during a very special ceremony at the mayor's parlour on Wednesday, May 10. The current Mayor of Basingstoke Cllr Paul Miller was also in attendance.
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Speaking after receiving the award, Steve said: "We certainly did not expect that. I just put a note on social media asking if anybody wants to use our holiday home for free because it is available.
"The next thing you know we are in the mayor's office. It is a real privilege."
Jean Pattison, from the Rotary Club, said: "Steve and Julie very generously donated their own caravan. First of all, this is financially generous. They can rent this out for £2,00 a week and so their generosity in the donation is really really very much appreciated.
"Giving £2,000 is one thing, actually giving your own personal second home and knowingly giving it to a family in need who may be in difficult circumstances and who may not live the same lifestyle that you live really cannot be understated."
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During the presentation, the club formally introduced two award programmes aimed at reinforcing the rotary image in the community of Basingstoke and connecting members of the public in the town.
The objective of the awards is to celebrate the Basingstoke community and the people in it ‘who have gone above and beyond’.
The club will now host an annual 'Best of Basingstoke' awards night, where all sectors of society will be recognised and celebrated at a dinner event in the town.
Club president Samir Chekini said: “Today we are giving life to this excellence award and we hope it to become a milestone in the recognition of talent and commitment in Basingstoke.
"We will keep working hard to identify Basingstoke residents and community players who deserve this award.”
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