AN Ivybridge resident has won an award for his tireless work promoting cycling and other sustainable transport in the town and across South Devon.

Graham Wilson was given a Sustrans Volunteer Award for his hard work, enthusiasm and commitment to the national charity, which encourages sustainable travel.

Graham has been volunteering with Sustrans for seven years in a number of roles, as well as working on sustainable transport as a member of Ivybridge group PL:21 and Sustainable South Brent.

During that time he has organised led bike rides around Ivybridge and South Brent, spearheaded community initiatives for new cycle routes in Ivybridge, and worked alongside others towards cycle routes through Plymouth’s eastern corridor. He also gives occasional talks on local cycling initiatives and projects.

Graham said: ’This is a real privilege. I’d like to draw attention to the good work of the many community volunteers I have worked with over the last few years. It’s been a real team effort.

’As the Sustrans local volunteer, I was initially asked by Ivybridge Town Council in 2014 if I could promote cycling as a healthy means of travel. We have roughly 25 volunteers locally of whom 8 became qualified as ride leaders. 

’I joined two local community groups, PL21 Transition Town Initiative who obtained a grant for Sustrans and Sustainable South Brent who obtained another grant, all for raising the profile of cycling.   

’The success has been the contribution of all the volunteers who stepped forward, and we were able to have 24 led rides throughout 2016.’

Sustrans chief executive Xavier Brice said: ’Each of our 4,000 volunteers play an integral part in what we do and their contribution to almost every area of our work is invaluable.

’Our annual awards give us the opportunity to thank our volunteers and celebrate their achievements over the past year. It’s a great way for us to give something back to them for their incredible support.’

Sustrans relies on the support of 4,000 volunteers like Graham across the country to increase the reach and impact of the charity’s work.

Volunteers carry out a variety of activities from maintaining the National Cycle Network by improving signage and clearing vegetation, to running stalls at events, and organising walks and cycle rides for communities, schools and workplaces.

A total of 10 volunteer awards were handed out to individual volunteers from each region and nation.

To find out about volunteering opportunities in Ivybridge and South Brent, go to: www.sustrans.org.uk/volunteer/get-involved .