Devoted Wolverhampton volunteer named best in country by leading charity

Matt Foster, from Woodland Avenue, Tettenhall, was chosen as the winner of PDSA's national Volunteer of the Year award thanks to his outstanding service at the charity's shop in Wolverhampton's Mander Centre.

Since graduating from the University of Wolverhampton with a business degree, Matt, 26 has struggled to find full-time work and has used his time to volunteer six days a week for the charity, honing his skills and gaining valuable experience.

As a volunteer, Matt has received training through PDSA. Together with his business degree, this has enabled him to assist the management team with crucial tasks in the shop.

He also runs the shop on Sunday mornings and is known by fellow volunteers as 'Mighty Matt'.

PDSA, which provides free veterinary treatment to sick and injured pets of people in need, has more than 4,500 volunteers helping in its charity shops, Pet Hospitals and fundraising groups across the country. The volunteers help save PDSA£12.7 million per year.

Matt's efforts have been described an 'inspirational' by the charity and he plans to celebrate his success with the rest of the Wolverhampton PDSA team.

"It's a brilliant feeling to have won this award," he told the Express & Star.

"The PDSA shop is a great place to learn and get experience. I've grown very fond of the place and the volunteers here are great to work with.

"The best thing about it as by volunteering I know I am helping a great charity and loads of animals which I've loved almost all my life.

"It has been lovely to have my family here too see me get this award, I didn't realise I had so many fans.

"I've been patted on the back but everyone here makes the shop a success, so we will definitely be celebrating together."

PDSA's director general, Jan McLoughlin, who presented Matt with his award, added: "Volunteers are the lifeblood of PDSA, and Matt's commitment and dedication to the charity is truly inspiring.

"According to staff and volunteers at the shop, he is not only a 'key volunteer' in the truest sense of the word, but a real inspiration as well.

"We are very lucky and proud to have Matt on board and he thoroughly deserves this accolade."

To join PDSA's volunteering team or to find out more about helping pets in need, contact the National Volunteering Centre on freephone 0800 854 194 or visit www.pdsa.org.uk/volunteers