A VOLUNTEER from Herefordshire has received a regional volunteer award from Macmillan Cancer Support this month in recognition of his support to people living with cancer in the local area.

This year, Selwyn Kendrick won the Regional Macmillan Sir Hugh Dundas Award.

The award is given in recognition of a volunteer who goes above and beyond all other criteria to make an outstanding contribution to Macmillan, makes a significant commitment to Macmillan, and demonstrates a passion and dedication for volunteering with Macmillan Cancer Support.

Selwyn has been volunteering for Macmillan for 18 years, using his personal cancer experience to help others.

Selwyn has volunteered his time, skills and expertise to a motorsport event spanning 18 years. This event is particularly significant because the event, 'Mac 4x4', features a predominantly male audience. This group is one of Macmillan's hard to reach audiences in terms of prevention, pre diagnosis and awareness.

Five years ago, Selwyn shared his recent cancer diagnosis for the first time from the back of a truck at the start of a UK motorsports event in aid of Macmillan. This event has averaged 60 teams of two every year for the past 18 years. With Selwyn managing the team of volunteers and marshals throughout the event, together they have raised approximately £1.5million.

Selwyn has also turned his very personal experiences during treatment into an opportunity to network with professionals and explore how treatments and services can be improved for other cancer patients.

On hearing he had won the award, Selwyn said: 'I'm very pleased to have received this award from Macmillan. I have always been a great supporter of Macmillan and enjoy supporting people living with cancer, like myself. Living with cancer can be very difficult at times, but I keep telling myself that cancer is not going to kill me. I tell myself it is more likely to be a London bus so I just stay out of London!'

Peter Rowland, a fellow volunteer and friend, nominated Selwyn for the award.

Peter said, 'Selwyn originally proposed a one-off Millennium event when I started as the Macmillan Fundraiser for Hereford but 'foot and mouth' and a fuel strike thwarted him! Being Selwyn, he was not to be put off and the first event took place in 2001. He has put a massive amount of time and energy into making the event a great success, his personal cancer diagnosis rather than diminishing his efforts has actually made him more determined. Having worked with him over the past 19 years I felt honoured to recommend him for this Macmillan award and am so pleased his efforts have been recognised.

If you're interested in finding out about how to volunteer for Macmillan please visit macmillan.org.uk/volunteer, email volunteering@macmillan.org.uk or call 0300 1000 200.