I was honoured to accompany two of the city’s unsung heroes on a recent visit to meet Samantha Cameron at Number 10 Downing Street. I joined Colin Oliphant and Darren Munday at a reception to celebrate and acknowledge the fantastic work done by volunteers and charities.

Darren is the leader of the 23rd Itchen North Scout Group based in Harefield. Darren and his small leadership team have ensured the group has gone from strength to strength and is thriving. They are looking for more leaders which is in no small part due to the success of attracting so many Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. If you would like to help and get involved I’m sure Darren would be very pleased to hear from you. You can email him at  23rditchennorth@gmail.com 

Colin is the Chairman of the Sholing Valleys Study Centre. Colin formed a group over 30 years ago to protect the Sholing Valleys and Millers Pond area. It eventually became the Sholing Valleys Study Centre and Miller’s Pond Nature Reserve. The area is now well established and has been given Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status. The charity was awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2012 for its ongoing good work and stewardship of the Miller’s Pond nature reserve and environmental study centre.