Volunteer of the Year 2026 – Erewash Voluntary Action

Erewash Voluntary Action Volunteer of the Year 2026 - Pete Pheasant receives his award (Credit: Martin Sykes)

Pete Pheasant is used to writing stories about other people winning awards but recently, he became a recipient of an award himself.

The retired journalist has been named volunteer of the Year by Erewash Voluntary Action.

In addition to his role as joint editor of Erewash Valley Talking News, Pete, age 71, makes weekly shopping trips for two people who are unable to carry heavy items and visits an elderly war veteran to give him a couple of hours’ company.

Staff at the Long Eaton-based voluntary services council held a ceremony to celebrate the great work that volunteers and local groups and organisations do across Erewash and Pete was chosen to receive a trophy.

Community development and volunteering manager Kathryn Russell told him: “You are absolutely a worthy winner for all your time, care and dedication across all aspects of volunteering you do.”

Pete, who lives in Ilkeston, decided to start volunteering after retiring as the Nottingham Post’s night editor, following a 47-year career in local journalism, that began on the Ilkeston Editor.

“I’d always enjoyed meeting people and, of course, writing about them and my volunteering roles give me the opportunity to do both, so they’re richly rewarding.”

He and his long-suffering wife (his words) Doreen, enjoy spending time with their two sons and two grandchildren – and lists his hobbies as “having the occasional pint and talking nonsense with other old duffers”.