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Engage Unsung Awards Winners Announced

Over the past month, the team at Engage Account welcomed nominations for its ‘Unsung Hero Award’. The award recognises the hard work, compassion, and determination that goes into the day-to-day operations of a credit union.

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Thursday 25 January 2024

Over the past month, the team at Engage Account welcomed nominations for its ‘Unsung Hero Award’. The award recognises the hard work, compassion, and determination that goes into the day-to-day operations of a credit union.

Engage Account was seeking stories that recognise the efforts of those behind the scenes; the front of house staff, the admin teams, the volunteers etc., all of whom work tirelessly for their credit unions, members, and wider communities. This week, Engage Account were delighted to share the winners of the Awards, which included ABCUL member credit unions, Maria Lyons of Carntyne and Riddrie Credit Union and Paul Treece of Lewisham Plus Credit Union.

Maria has been a volunteer since 1997 and ten years ago she began a Non-Referral Foodbank. Since then, have added a baby bank and a clothing bank. Although it is not a one-person band, Maria is the cornerstone to it all, she organises all the donations it receives from its members and non-members, sorting clothes into age groups, assembling food parcels, and managing social media channels.

Paul was a founder member of the Lewisham Plus Credit Union in 1992. He was in his twenties when this began from a small church hall in Sydenham, London. Since then, he has been the treasurer and the IT person carrying out all those difficult tasks to keep the overheads lower. The Credit Union has grown to be one of the biggest community credit unions in the UK thanks to Paul’s efforts, working all hours including weekends and evenings, almost daily.

Engage Account were seeking stories and examples of ongoing commitment and hard work to help better the communities they serve.

“I’m delighted to see people who work tirelessly in the credit union sector in providing a vital day-to-day service are being recognised for their dedication and valued service to members,” says ABCUL CEO, Robert Kelly. “I’d like to thank Engage for creating the awards and for shining a light on the sector’s unsung heroes, those who dedicate a great deal of time and energy to their communities across the country.”

Engage Managing Director, Geoff Leech said: “We have always been aware that staff and volunteers go above and beyond for their Credit Union and members but judging the Engage Unsung Hero Awards has been a real eye opener and it has been so difficult to choose from hundreds of very worthy entries.

“Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone who nominated a Credit Union colleague and made the first annual Awards a huge success.”

Additional winners of the awards include:

– Evelyn Ferguson – Coagh and District Credit Union

– Jessica Graham – Capital Credit Union

– Gareth Smith – Clonard Credit Union

– Sandy Sutton – Leeds Credit Union

– Karly Hutton – Cambrian Credit Union

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