Charity/voluntary

Radio presenters based at St Peter's Hospital station in Chertsey are up for national awards.

Three radio presenters have been shortlisted for awards at the National Hospital Radio Awards ceremony which will be held on Saturday March 27 as part of the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) Conference at Renfrew near Glasgow.

Those on the shortlist are all volunteers at the Guildford Road radio station currently awaiting an OFCOM decision on FM broadcasting.

The head teacher of a special needs school in Ottershaw has collected her OBE from Buckingham Palace.

Janet Dunn, of children's communication charity I CAN, is head teacher of Meath School of Brox Road, and was made an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List last year.

She collected the award, for services to children with special educational needs and their families, on Monday January 4, with her brother, sister-in-law and mother by her side.

A new scheme is being trialled by Age Concern in partnership with Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals.

The 'courtesy call' service is for frail and older people who are being discharged from hospital and may need information, advice or help to live independently at home.

Hospital staff will refer patients by phoning the service on the day the patient is allowed home, or by giving the patient a booklet of information.

A spokeswoman for Age Concern said: "This new service has been going for a few weeks and has already ensured that many older people have been discharged home with the support they need.

"The relevant Age Concern branch will contact the patient within 48 hours to discuss their needs, provide information, and suggest services or a home visit."

One such service, the Road to Recovery scheme operated in Spelthorne, provides free help for six weeks with chores such as housework and shopping as well as accompanying clients to appointments, while they recover.

For more information, contact either Age Concern Runnymede on 02932 566 040 or Age Concern Spelthorne on 01784 444 200

Pupils of Ottershaw Church of England School have raised £312.29 for The British Deaf Association.

As part of the national Learn to Sign Week, the children of Ottershaw Infant and Junior Schools were sponsored to wear the brightest clothes they could find on Friday October 9 in an attempt to raise money for the charity.

Princess Alice Hospice and The Bentall Centre, Kingston are hosting a star-studded fashion exhibition, titled 'Fit for a Princess' with celebrity party attire being showcased in store windows. Head down to the centre and see which item catches your eye before bidding online at www.ebay.co.uk/charity from 8pm on Monday 19th October.

Over forty personalities and luminaries, including; Dame Helen Mirren, Strictly Come Dancing's Lynda Bellingham, West End stars Kerry Ellis and Leanne Jones, Samantha Cameron, Beth Ditto, Helena Bonham Carter, Geri Halliwell, Paloma Faith, Joanna Lumley, Trinny Woodhall, Fearne Cotton, Twiggy and The Saturdays have all kindly donated dresses in aid of this vital and important charity.

Christ Church in Ottershaw is appealing for shoe boxes filled with small gifts, ready to be sent to Romanian children in time for Christmas.

Leaflets are available in the parish centre in Guildford Road, or for more information, call Phoebe Taylor on 01932 872 136.

The Runnymede Alzheimer's Society hosted its first ever Memory Walk on Sunday raising hundreds of pounds for the charity.

The free event drew in between 40 and 50 participants who completed the four and half mile walk around Virginia Water lake.

A blind woman who gives up her time to help other visually impaired people is in contention for a national inner beauty award.

Brenda Penfold, 52, of Flower Crescent, Ottershaw, has been blind for 20 years and has spent much of her spare time helping people in the same situation learn to adjust to life without vision.

Her daughter Lucy, 22, entered her into the Nivea Inner Beauty Award, and after winning the Greater London award, she is now a contender for the overall national award.

Runnymede Dolphins are looking for a new volunteer secretary.

The group which runs swimming sessions at Woking's pool in the park, in Kingfield Road for the disabled of Runnymede and Woking are searching for a volunteer who is computer literate and can attend at least six yearly meetings.

For more information please contact Jenny on 01932 571122.

The winner of the Woking and Sam Beare Hospices car raffle was able to pick out her car on Monday (17).

Sally Walker of Woking, walked away from Trident Honda in Guildford Road, Ottershaw with a new Honda Civic hatchback, worth £15,000.