NORTH West Durham MP Richard Holden has successfully nominated two of his constituents for the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award.

Vera Parnaby was named for her decades of work raising funds for the Royal British Legion and Venita Pattinson, on behalf of the community who came together in St John’s Chapel with a spectacular display for remembrance this year.

Points of Light are awarded to outstanding volunteers who have made a change in their communities.

Only one volunteer in the UK can be awarded per day. Richard got in touch with the Prime Minister to request that his constituents receive the awards for the outstanding work they have done in North West Durham.

Vera, a Consett resident, was awarded the Points of Light award on November 13, having devoted 75 years of her life to campaigning for the Royal British Legion and raising over £1million for the charity, which the Prime Minister described as ‘staggering’.

Venita was awarded the Points of Light award on November 16 for her work in creating the St John’s Chapel Remembrance event with over 5000 poppies created by her and the team of fellow volunteers she led to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.

Mr Holden presented each of them with their certificates from the Prime Minister.

Mr Holden said: “I am delighted two of our very own North West Durham residents have been awarded the Points of Light awards and recognised for their fantastic volunteer work – they have both done an extraordinary amount for the Royal British Legion and our community.

“I was keen that their efforts be formally recognised and put their names forward to the Prime Minister, who agreed that the amazing work they have done deserves commendation.

“I want to say a huge congratulations to both Vera and Venita – so many people will benefit from the work that they have been doing and we are very lucky to have two such remarkable ladies in our constituency.”

Vera Parnaby said: “It’s really wonderful to be recognised like this by our Prime Minister. For me though the important thing really is remembering those who gave their lives, so we have a free country like we do today.”

Venita Pattinson said: “It’s great that our community in Weardale have been recognised by the Prime Minister. I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all the volunteers in St John’s Chapel Poppy Creations who put so many thousands of hours collectively in creating our memorial to honour those in Weardale who went to fight for us and never returned.”