Prime Minister grants awards to Cumbrian volunteer

A Cumbrian man, has won a new volunteering award, announced by David Cameron.

The Point of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers and people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. The award is modelled on the Points of Light programme in America which was established by President George H. W. Bush

Peter Maher led a campaign to to establish a community village pub in Ennerdale Bridge. The town had lost it’s post office, bus service, shop and then finally, in 2010, their pub was closed.

However, Peter raised the idea of establishing a co-operative pub and a target of £67,000 was raised in eight days. The final total came to £83,000 from 182 members.

From there, he organised 100 volunteers to clean and decorate the pub. It reopened in April 2011, six weeks after the campaign's first meeting.

The pub’s reopening is said to have revived a sense of community spirit.

Following this, Peter played a key role in preparing and submitting a bid to the Big Lottery Fund. On 18th March 2014, a grant of £478,000 was given to Ennerdale to help fund a community building to create more opportunities for Ennerdale Bridge residents. The building will house an-after school club, art and craft classes, a library and exercise classes.

Read: Lottery funding supports Cumbrian town