A pensioner who has brought Christmas magic to thousands of children in the Burton and South Derbyshire area for more than 20 years has been crowned Volunteer of the Year.

When Derek Liddle launched his community project "Derek's Tree" from his Branston living room back in 1995, he had no idea that it would grow into the beloved community event of today.

Based in Coopers Square shopping centre, in Burton, the project sees a host of volunteers dedicate hours and days to ensuring vulnerable children in Burton and South Derbyshire enjoy Christmas just as much as everybody else.

Every year, charities in the area put together a list of disadvantaged children who use their services and face going without a present for Christmas.

Staff and volunteers from the charities then ask each of these children what gift they would like most from Santa that year.

Derek Liddle, winner of The Volunteer Of The Year Award, talks to Mark O'Sullivan
Derek Liddle, winner of The Volunteer Of The Year Award, talks to Mark O'Sullivan

Their first name, age and what gift they would like are then printed on cardboard gift tags, which are hung on a tree in the shopping centre.

Passers-by can choose one of these tags and buy the present for one of the children.

The team of volunteers, including Derek, of Main Street, Burton, then check to make sure the gifts are safe and appropriate before packaging them up for the youngsters.

Now largely run by a team of dedicated volunteers, the project has successfully brought in £60,000 worth of presents in 2017 - to every single child who was on the list.

To celebrate this immensely selfless project, Derek was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award at the 2018 Burton Mail Heroes Awards.

At the ceremony, Derek said: "Without the help of other people it would be too difficult and I would not be able to do it.

"I have got a real passion for making sure all children get something to make them smile.

"The children we have helped deserve everything we have ever managed to get for them. I will not tolerate people who say this town is rubbish - because it's not."

The award was sponsored by Riviera Travel, a Burton-based travel brand. Ben Hitchcock, sales and marketing director said that the community in Burton was a better place thanks to the people and local heroes.

He said people who make a real impact for others deserve recognition.

Runners-up

Clive Lawton

Clive Lawton is treasurer for Gresley Male Voice Choir and helps to raise money with the group for many local organisations.

He also helps to run the Operation Christmas Child Shoe box appeal in the Burton area, spending most of the year picking up shoe boxes and anything donated to go in them.

He also volunteers on the National Association of Choirs as the conference organiser and organises choral workshops.

Ben Hitchcock of Riviera Travel with Derek Liddle, winner of The Volunteer Of The Year Award and runners-up Clive Lawton and Mick Cramp
Ben Hitchcock of Riviera Travel with Derek Liddle, winner of The Volunteer Of The Year Award and runners-up Clive Lawton and Mick Cramp

Mick Cramp

Mick Cramp first joined the Burton Soup Kitchen six years ago after taking voluntary redundancy from his job as a front-end loader driver.

The 71-year-old said he saw an item calling for volunteers in the Burton Mail and decided to use his new free time to help "give back to the community."

The Burton Soup Kitchen, in Rangemore Street, aims to offer soup as well as hot and cold drinks to isolated, vulnerable and lonely people in a bid to improve their quality of life.

Volunteers also work with the local food banks so visitors can get vital food parcels, clothing and toiletries.

They are also involved with other agencies such as the Burton YMCA, Trent & Dove Housing, the Star Foundation, the Eaton Foundation and social services.