SOME of the most dedicated volunteers in Southampton have been recognised for donating their time to help others.

More than 30 people who have completed at least 100 hours of voluntary work with Southampton Voluntary Services (SVS) attended a ceremony at the Civic Centre hosted by city mayor Councillor Parvin Damani.

Among them was a group of 12 asylum seekers who have helped local organisations including Oxfam and the Salvation Army.

Barzin Foroughi-Rad left Iran a 18 months ago for "human rights reasons" and he has been putting his accountancy skills to use by working voluntarily for the Credit Union.

The 28-year-old, who lives in Portswood, said: "I enjoy it here. The people are friendly.

"I've got seven years' experience in financial accounting but here I'm trying to update it by studying at Southampton City College."

Working with Southampton City Council's training and employment initiatives, SVS, which opened a new headquarters in St Mary's a week ago, has seen volunteers go on to secure employment.

Alan Rahim, 21, from northern Iraq, has been doing translation work for Southampton hospitals and social services.

He said: "I'm hoping to go to university to study economics and politics."

Di Bernstein, volunteering development worker at SVS, said: "The scheme was an idea developed here in Southampton and has been running for almost 13 years.

"The recipients reflect not only the diversity of people who regularly volunteer but also the breadth of work that they do."

THE WINNERS:

Ivy Abraham - Southampton University Hospitals' Trust

Shalu Aggarwal - Southampton University Hospitals' Trust

Joe Marlow - Southampton University Hospitals' Trust

Maggie Mole- Southampton University Hospitals' Trust

Iris Woodward - Southampton University Hospitals' Trust

Terry Weavers - Southampton University Hospitals' Trust

John Felmingham - Wheatsheaf Trust

Lewis Abang Usor - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Amani Bermane - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Valentina Boka - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Aiah Foday - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Barzin Foroughi-Rad - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Eric Kabanda - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Lukusa Yves Kabeya - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Albert Khachatourov - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Pascal Mangaya Mbumba Augistin - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Mwana Bamany - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Alan Rahim - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Ken Dalla Kuye Wertran - City Asylum Seekers' Team

Doreen Hayward - volunteer reading help

Dorothy Noble - volunteer reading help

Betty Ozog - volunteer reading help

Marian Brooke - City Shopmobility

Charles Matthews - City Shopmobility

Lynn Betteridge - City Shopmobility

Louis Slack - City Shopmobility

Ed Rudd - Safe in Sound

David William Gordon - Safe in Sound

Katherine Hook - Safe in Sound

Alwyn Holmes - Safe in Sound

Terri Rawling - Safe in Sound

Wendy Fretton - The Rose Road Association

Sheila Herbert - The Rose Road Association

Cathrin Isherwood - The Rose Road Association

Catherine Pearmund - The Rose Road Association

David Staines - The Rose Road Association

Lindsay White - The Rose Road Association