NINE volunteers were rewarded for their work last night at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
A party was held by Sunderland Social Services to mark National Volunteers Work.
More than 200 people joined Sunderland Mayor, Councillor Ken Murray, who presented the awards.
The winners included Margaret Dent, for helping young people leaving care; Audrey Aves and Joan Heslop, from the Bridge Project, a training scheme for women; Kevin Betts, a Millennium volunteer who learned woodland management skills; and Catherine Morton, of Age Concern.
Other winners were: Jackie Conn of The Hive, a children's drop-in centre; Lorraine Allsopp, of Chance, which offers training; Iris Williams, of The Art Studio, which caters for special needs students; Brian Harkness, of the Alzheimer's Society; and members of Pennywell Youth Project.
Music was provided by Brassy Bits, a brass band, and Technicolour, a youth group.
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