Back in Spring this year, we asked our volunteers to nominate their fellow team members for a brand new annual award that we launched in the memory of one of our longest-serving Medics, Tim Bain, who passed away after a battle with cancer in 2020 following more than twenty years as a BDMLR volunteer.
We received ten nominations from across the country that were based on that volunteer’s activities and contributions during 2020, which were thoroughly considered by our staff and Trustees to choose a winner, representing unsung heroes within the charity and the values they bring. It was a very tough time coming to a decision as the standard was so high, though after a great deal of deliberation we are pleased to announce that the first recipient of the Tim Bain Memorial Award is…
Louise Round!
Louise was nominated by her Area Coordinator, Chris Berry, whose recommendation is summarised as follows:
“She has stepped in as North Devon Social Coordinator, and the team has gone from a few isolated individuals to an experienced, coordinated team that is fast building on each other’s experience. She has been regularly assisting at the Cornwall Seal Hospital as well as on relays, releases, observations, training courses, educating the public, printing and disseminating posters. She is confidently tube feeding seals rehydration fluids on site and is assisting with the training of others too. She has of course also stepped into the role of Devon’s Fundraising Coordinator, so far making up key rings, held raffles and auctions, run photo competitions and has plans for calendars, Medics packs and more, raising £1120 in her first six months. She is a strong all-rounder and a true asset to BDMLR.”
Congratulations to Louise, who received an engraved wooden plaque made from sustainably sourced beech that was designed and produced by a local artist at ZennorMade, who is based by Tim’s hometown of St Ives. The award was presented by Chris Berry, following a reading of his nomination by Welfare and Conservation Director Dan Jarvis, and coincided with the UN’s International Volunteer’s Day over the weekend.
A memorial plaque to Tim with words from Paul Watson from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, another charity Tim supported, was recently erected on the wall below the National Coastwatch Institute station in St Ives by his BDMLR friends, forever overlooking the bay and its wildlife that he cherished and cared for so much.
