Christopher Charlton from Derbyshire was winner of the Heritage Individual's Award.
Volunteers from all over the UK were recognised and praised at the Nationwide Community and Heritage Awards ceremony held at the Tower of London on Tuesday November 11.
Eight winners were announced at the ceremony, which was hosted by BBC news presenter Nicholas Owen, for dedicating spare time to supporting their local communities and heritage.
Among the winners were Christopher Charlton, who has been involved with the rescue of Sir Richard Arkwright’s first cotton mill and other historic sites for the last 30 years, and 18-year-old Stephen Reddie, who dedicates 30 hours per week of his spare time to coach both community football and athletics.
Newquay Rowing Club was also praised for the 87-year dedication in maintaining the only three surviving 18th century traditional pilot gigs.
“It’s a huge pleasure to have presented these awards and I have been impressed and humbled, in equal measure, by all the nominees’ stories,” explained Nicholas Owen.
“Volunteering can be great fun but it can also be extremely gritty as well as just plain hard work; today is about recognising and celebrating some inspiring achievements.”
John Cuthill representing Newquay Rowing Club, Newquay, which won the Heritage Group's Award.
The ceremony was attended by 147 of the country’s most dedicated volunteers who were shortlisted for the awards.
Over the last 10 years the awards, which are run by Nationwide Building Society and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), have celebrated the work of over 13,000 volunteers.
“It’s hugely important to recognise the contribution that volunteers make to both their local communities and the wider society,” added Stephen Boyce, Deputy Director of Operations at the Heritage Lottery Fund.
“They are particularly valued within the heritage world where without the commitment and enthusiasm of volunteers many projects would never take off.”
The awards in full are as follows:
Winner of the Community Young People’s Award
Stephen Reddie, Liverpool
For dedicating 30 hours a week of spare time to actively coach and assist young people in community football and athletics.
Winner of the Heritage Young People’s Award
Corpus Christi Youth Centre, Belfast
For researching the heritage and culture of a graveyard in West Belfast and teaching peers about how the people interred in the graveyards have shaped today’s society.
Winner of the Community Group’s Award
Second Nature Life Support, Rotherham
For transforming a former sewage treatments works into a community garden to bring people together.
Winner of the Heritage Group’s Award
Newquay Rowing Club, Newquay
For maintaining the three surviving 18th century traditional pilot gigs and restoring them to be used again.
Winner of the Community Individual’s Award
Sudershan Abrol, Birmingham
For setting up the UK Asian Women’s Centre and the involvement of projects such as supporting women who have experienced domestic violence, counselling and learning difficulties.
Winner of the Heritage Individual’s Award
Christopher Charlton, Derbyshire
For rescuing Sir Richard Arkwright’s first cotton mill and other historic sites in the village of Cromford, which in turn has provided local young offenders with work, experience as well as a hostel for disadvantaged young people.
Winner of the Community Champion Award
James Livingstone-MacCormack, Coventry
For being involvement in homelessness projects in Coventry for over 30 years and willingness to offer help and advice.
Winner of the Heritage Hero Award
Don Bearcroft, Abertillery, Wales
For volunteering at Abertillery and District Museum, and dedication to transforming the former museum which was previously a small room in the public library, into a professional community museum in the metropole building in Abertillery town centre.
