Newgate Volunteers of the Year – Shortlist Announced

It’s National Volunteer Week!

Time to pay tribute and say THANK YOU to the thousands of volunteers that make our cathedrals the special places they are today, and announce our first national cathedral volunteer awards.

Newgate® Cathedral Volunteer of the Year Awards

Volunteers that saved their cathedral hundreds of thousands of pounds by restoring its furniture, others who designed their own carefully curated hidden treasures tour, or a community cafe team serving pay as you can hot meals and companionship, flower arrangers that keep an eye out for the vulnerable and the lonely, bell-ringers that made a silent church ring out again.

These are just some of the fabulous cathedral volunteers nominated in the Newgate® Cathedral Volunteer of the Year Awards that give so much of their time and talent to make our cathedrals the special places they are.

The Newgate® Cathedral Volunteer of the Year Awards is a new partnership project between the Association of English Cathedrals and Newgate® Motoring Solutions Ltd, a company which has long-specialised in affordable motoring schemes for clergy and those who work in cathedrals, or who give their time voluntarily.

The competition was launched for the first time this year in recognition of the vital role our volunteers play in the life of our cathedrals.

Thousands of volunteers give so much of themselves to our cathedrals and without them we would not be able to do what we do.

And this week we want to say thank you to each and every one of you.

Every cathedral was invited to nominate two volunteers and we had around 50 nominations from almost 30 cathedrals.

The nominated volunteers ranged in age from their twenties to their eighties and together represented almost one hundred years of service, highlighting the value of giving back and the joy of making a difference.

Award sponsor, Nigel Williams, founder and owner of Newgate®, said,

’I was blown away by the depth and range of volunteering offered by these wonderful giving people. 

’They embody volunteering in its truest sense, that it isn’t simply an activity in someone’s spare time, but a calling, answered wholeheartedly and selflessly. 

‘It made choosing a shortlist and winners such a difficult task, and I want to acknowledge that loyal community of committed and steadfast people who make our cathedrals the wonderful places they are. 

‘We are very proud to be able to celebrate and thank them with these national awards.’

Anna Pitt, Executive Director of the Association of English Cathedrals, said:

‘We can never say thank you enough for all the contributions our volunteers make through their amazing efforts every single day.’

So, thank you to our bell-ringers, tomb-dusters, broderers, flower-arrangers, choir helpers, chaperones, event volunteers, stewards, shop-assistants, cake-makers, tea-servers, gardeners, bee-keepers, guides and welcomers…the list is endless and without this unsung army of volunteers, our cathedrals would be so much less.

But we can only have two winners and this is our shortlist for the 2025 Newgate® Cathedral Volunteer of the Year Awards. Drum roll please …

Volunteer Teams Finalists:
Bell-Ringing Team, Carlisle Cathedral
The Voluntary Choir, Derby Cathedral
Flower Arranging Team, Birmingham Cathedral
The Big Table Café volunteer team Cathedral Isle of Man
The Restoration Team, Coventry Cathedral

Volunteer Finalists:
James Gaffney, Salisbury Cathedral
Sue Hall, Blackburn Cathedral
Stewart Alderson, St Edmundsbury Cathedral
Christine Barker, Sheffield Cathedral
Jenny Mason at Lichfield Cathedral

We will share their stories every day this week and the winners will be announced on Sunday.

If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering with us, contact your local cathedral to find out what opportunities there are near you.

Newgate® has been helping stipendiary and non-stipendiary clergy and church workers find affordable car deals – without the need to visit car showrooms – for 25 years, this year.