Princess in Devizes to thank victim support volunteers

3:51pm Monday 7th December 2009

By Lewis Cowen

The Princess Royal visiting Devizes today to congratulate the county’s Victim Support on its 21st anniversary.

The Princess, who is president of the national Victim Support organisation, presented awards to staff and volunteers who, in the view of their fellow workers, have done the most to help victims of crime and court witnesses.

The told the gathering in the Assembly Room at the town hall: “Given that Victim Support started in little groups all over the country, it has been a challenge to build it into a national organisation that can more easily secure funding.

“But I hope you feel that this hasn’t distanced an organisation that makes victims feel it is so worthwhile coming to you for help.

“The reason it succeeds is your history of support for the victims of crime.”

Among those receiving awards from the Princess on Monday was Eve Clarke, 74, from All Cannings, near Devizes, who has been involved with the movement since its earliest days in Swindon in the 1960s.

She said: “My husband was a policeman in Swindon and he got me involved with helping people who had been victims of crime.

“Then I had children and had to give it up, but I came back to it when the family grew up and I have loved every moment of it.

“I think victims get left out when perpetrators and others get a lot of help. Some victims are very good at coping and just need a helping hand to see them through.”

Kim Delaney, 50, from Market Lavington, received an award for her outstanding contribution to supporting victims.

Announcing her award, Glenys Armstrong, director of Victim Support (Wiltshire area), said that as soon as she got her Criminal Records Bureau clearance, Mrs Delaney couldn’t wait to get started.

Mrs Delaney said she was shocked and humble to have received the award. She said: “I only finished my training in July. I love working with Victim Support. You always come away feeling you have done a good job and the people you help always say thank you.”

The Princess received a floral tribute from Julia Twentyman, from Devizes, who has been a volunteer for ten years.

She said: “The victims know you are coming to see them and they are ready with questions and concerns, so you have to think on your feet.

“We are not there to solve problems for them, but to help them help themselves.”