Young Volunteer Encourages Islanders To Give Back

A Jersey volunteer who was honoured with a day named after him is encouraging more people to give back to the community.

Tom Martin Hughes was given the accolade by the Mayor of Navasota, Texas two years ago, after visiting the city to speak with students and officials there about being an active citizen and sharing his story about the power of volunteering.

October 28 has been celebrated as 'Tom Martin Hughes Day' every year since it was first dedicated in 2019.

Since his initial visit, Tom continues to push the importance of volunteering.

Speaking with Channel 103, he explained that volunteers are a very important part of the community:

"I think without volunteers, society would be a very different place.

"The implications of not having charities do the amount of work they do, would be a huge issue if they weren't to exist."

Despite travel restrictions preventing Tom from returning to Texas, celebrations will still continue to take place in his honour.

"I've done a virtual presentation to be shown in schools and the Mayor will be making an announcement in City Hall to mark the occasion.

"But they are also looking at ways to get students to volunteer as well on the day, with activities such as a litter pick."

It's not the first time Tom has been recognised for his volunteering efforts.

He was the first young person in Jersey to be awarded the prestigious Diana Award in 2017.

Tom hopes to return to Texas soon to continue to spread the message of volunteering and continue to inspire others.

"Hopefully I'll be able to visit before the day itself next year. It would be three years since I have visited the city, because of the pandemic.

"But I'm looking at something local like local recognition and linking that in, revamping the volunteering attitude and continue to see what different opportunities can be put on for local citizens.

"The Mayor of Navasota has said that there is a lot of volunteering from young people at the moment. Teachers at school are being frequently asked if there are any activities in school, or if there is anything they can do on lunch breaks, and especially if there are any opportunities for them to engage in charity work outside of school."