ROSE Dixon is the 1998 Wirral Volunteer of the Year.

Rapturous applause greeted the announcement at last Thursday's awards ceremony in The Belmont Suite at Tranmere Rovers' Prentonian social club.

After receiving the superb trophy, designed and made by students at Wirral Metropolitan College, from the Mayor of Wirral, Coun. Mrs Margaret Green, Mrs Dixon, who lives in Birkenhead, could hardly believe that she had become only the fourth holder of the prestigious award since it was launched in 1995 by Wirral Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).

She told me: "I am delighted - I take it as recognition for the two charities for which I work and I accept the award on behalf of all volunteers on Wirral."

Rose, a full time Research Nurse in Clinical Psychology with cancer patients, still finds time to provide support and a telephone helpline to bereaved parents under the auspices of Compassionate Friends, of which she is voluntary regional co-ordinator and joint Merseyside/Cheshire contact.

She is also one of the many volunteers who give of their time and skill to the local charity, Wirral Holistic Care Services, based at St Catherine's Hospital, Birkenhead.

"Despite her employment with all of its stress, she finds the compassion and affection to draw deeply into her personal resources," read the citation.

Sponsored for the second successive year by NatWest Bank, the Wirral Volunteer of the Year Award again had six categories from which the judges then had to choose an overall winner.

Category winners:-

Unemployed: Eddie Hughes, of Birkenead.

Employed: Mrs Rose Dixon.

Under-25: David Gooding, of Wallasey.

Over-65: Mrs Moira Smyth, of Arrowe Park.

Disabled: Steven Towers, of Pensby.

Specialist Category for 1998 (individual/group working to improve their local community): North Birkenhead Tenants and Residents Association.

CEWTEC Special Achievement Award: Mrs Jean Jones, of Heswall.

Some 200 people accepted invitations to attend the presentation ceremony, a fitting climax for an Award designed to salute Wirral's vast 'army' of unsung heroes - men and women, boys and girls who week in , week out give of their time freely, willingly and enthusiastically for the benefit of others, either on an individual or community basis.

Local radio personalities Billy Butler and Wally Scott compered the ceremony.

As well as a small replica of the main award, each recipient also received a pair of tickets to enjoy a film at Apollo 6 Cinema, Wallasey, while the overall winner will be treated to a meal for four at the Pastime Restaurant, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead.

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