Unsung Hero Award

When we decided to set up our own Eu3a Unsung Hero Award, it was easy to find our first winners.

Jane Clifford and her husband Cliff have been running our successful Pickleball Group for the past five years. Thanks to their hard work and enthusiasm, it has grown from one court and eight players to over 200 players every week. (A further 50 Eu3a members also play at Cobham which brings the total up to about 250! )

We now boast the largest u3a Pickleball Group in Southern England. So it is only right that this popular husband-and-wife team from Hersham, should have their voluntary efforts publicly acclaimed. Elmbridge u3a chairman Nigel Cudby said: “Cliff and Jane have brought so much pleasure to so many of us. Their dedication and commitment is second to none and for that reason they are the first recipients of our Elmbridge u3a Unsung Hero Award.”

The award was made in a surprise visit to the couple’s home during a meeting of the social events sub-committee. And it came as a shock! As Cliff said: ”We were gob-smacked, and a few tears were shed, whenNigel and Mark gave us the award, along with two bottles of bubbly. So we opened a bottle immediately so that all could partake!”

Cliff added, ”We would like to express our surprise and thanks to the Eu3a at being selected for this award. The u3a is a great organisation and we have been very happy to assist with Elmbridge's pickleball development.”

No worries Cliff and Jane – you absolutely deserve it! The award is open to all and if you would like to nominate someone please contact Nigel or any committee member so his or her efforts can be considered. 

Mark Dowdney