A DEDICATED University of Chester student volunteer who has raised more than £7,000 for Help for Heroes has been highlighted for a Your Champions honour.
Andrew Bell, from Delamere, regularly holds a table top stall to raise funds for the charity dedicated to injured servicemen.
He has also volunteered at the Forestry Commission in Delamere Forest most weekends for the past two years, becoming well known in the area.
At university, Andrew has been an international mentor to help incoming students settle and launched Can’t Cook Won’t Cook sessions with the aim of getting students cooking healthy and nutritious food.
These achievements were despite Andrew having to overcome severe hearing loss in childhood which meant frequent trips to language and speech therapists and physiotherapists.
Becky Maitland-Tatton, volunteer co-ordinator at the University of Chester where Andrew achieved a BSc in human nutrition last year, was one of those who nominated him for the Champion Volunteer of the Year.
She said: “Overcoming prior negativity surrounding his disabilities, Andrew has flourished and gained confidence through all of his volunteer roles.”
A delighted Andrew, upon receiving the news of his nomination, said: “It’s unbelievable and I’m really surprised to have been nominated.
“I am really pleased my efforts have been recognised, it’s wonderful!”
