FOURTEEN individuals and volunteer groups have been honoured at a charity award ceremony.

Jewish Care held there annual Betty and Aubrey Lynes evening at their community centre, in Woodford Bridge Road, Clayhall.

This year’s Young Volunteer of the Year Award went to 18-year-old South Woodford resident Sam Janoff, for his time spent with residents at Jewish Care’s Vi & John Rubens House, Clarence Avenue.

Sam, who will be attending medical school next autumn, first started volunteering over a year ago to replace his grandfather who could no longer volunteer at Jewish Care’s home.

Once a week Sam runs a cards club on Sunday mornings for Jewish Care residents and enjoys spending time talking and listening to the residents.

He said “It’s nice to hear about what people have done with their lives, and the places they've been. I like the fact that the people I play cards with look forward to it.”

Jewish Care’s chairman Stephen Zimmerman said: “Volunteering is high on the political agenda and one of Jewish Care’s great strengths.

"It is estimated that our current volunteer workforce provides us with over £4m worth of work in our resources, so when we say we could not do it without you, we really mean it.

"The care and compassion shown to our clients by our volunteers makes a real difference to the lives of those they support, thank you for all you do.”

Visit jewishcare.org for more information.