Wirral community groups enjoy success at the annual General Motors’ Griffin Awards

Oct 29 2008 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

COMMUNITY groups in Wirral are celebrating their success in the annual General Motors’ Griffin Awards.

Top prize of £10,000 in the Wirral News-backed awards organised by the car manufacturing firm, parent company of Vauxhall Motors in Ellesmere Port, went to Girlguiding Wirral.

The organisation empowers girls and young women by encouraging them to participate in team-building activities and strives to foster their learning and development.

Sue Dutton, county commissioner for Girlguiding Wirral, said: “We are overwhelmed to be selected as overall winner.

“The £10,000 will provide an exciting new activity-based project, which will be available free to our 4,500 members across Wirral, Ellesmere Port and Neston whether they be Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, senior section or adult volunteers.

Eastham Conservation Trust was presented with second prize of £5,000 towards its support programme for children with learning disabilities.

Birkenhead YMCA won the long-term use of a Vauxhall vehicle, enabling it to expand its member services significantly.

Held at the Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel in Ledsham, this was ninth Griffin Awards – GM UK’s annual community awards scheme that recognise the often unsung efforts of charities and not-for-profit organisations around its home bases in Cheshire and Bedfordshire.

Since 2000 GM UK has given away more than £250,000 to groups in those two areas.

Tom Schmidt, Vauxhall Ellesmere Port plant director, said: “We are pleased and proud to support the local community and help individuals, local charities and not-for-profit organisations to promote their outstanding work through the Griffin Awards.”

The Cheshire Young Volunteer of the Year Award was won by Rhiannon Wall for her continued hard work with the Ellesmere Port Sea Cadet Corps.

The plant’s Paul Forret was named GM UK Employee Volunteer of the Year for his work with the 1st Gresford Scout Group.