RAF honours "tireless" volunteer (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

RAF honours "tireless" volunteer

4:28pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News

AN airwoman who dedicates her free time to helping members of the local community has been honoured by her station.

Acting Warrant Officer Donna Trenholme of RAF Leeming has been presented with the Wing Commander Bye Sword.

She was nominated for the annual award for her tireless enthusiasm in her work and personal life – dedicating time to organise events and to co-ordinate local volunteers for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.

“I was a bit shocked,” said A/WO Trenholme, 45.

“It’s an honour to be given something like this from the station but it was an achievement by the whole team really, not just me.

“I enjoy working with SSAFA – I like being part of a team of like-minded people.

“Not everyone can afford to give a lot of money to charity, but the volunteers are giving their time. It reminds me that there is another world outside service life and gives me a different way of looking at things.”

As well as recruiting and managing volunteers, she gives her own time for a wide range of SSAFA roles from driving to babysitting and combines that with a busy work life as Operations Warrant Officer on 90 Signals Unit.

A/WO Trenholme has served in the RAF for 27 years and was nominated for the award by her line manager, Flight Lieutenant Nicholas Howard.

The sword is given in memory of Wing Commander David Bye, who lost his battle against cancer in 2005 at the age of 47. It was presented by Air Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford.

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