I HAVE been helping to organise the Stanford Festival for some 13 years now and it has gone from strength to strength.

I am relieved to be able to call on many local volunteers to help deliver this magnificent town centre spectacle.

Head and shoulders above the rest was my good friend Tony Guyon, known to many in Basildon and Tilbury for his sterling work (paid and unpaid) in the voluntary sector.

Tony was a big guy in every sense with a great appetite for life and a warped sense of humour. His business card promoting octopus wrestling and maiden-rescuing (among other things!) raised many a smile.

Tony worked hard on the Hope Committee and produced an excellent magazine for the Festival each year.

Two years ago Tony suddenly died, leaving family and friends bereft and a big hole in the community.

After his funeral his wife, Chris, decided it would be nice to have some trophies made in his memory, so we could honour others in similar voluntary work.

On The Green, in Stanford-le-Hope, on July 3 at around 10.30am we will be presenting the Tony Guyon Memorial Cup for volunteer of the year.

If you know anyone who lives and/or works in Stanford-le-Hope and gives themselves (like Tony) to the good of the community, please let me know.

Contact me via 01375 670582 or Gof4God@aol.com with a name and why you think your nominee should be awarded the cup. The closing date is June 17.

Generous giving of ourselves to others is close to God’s heart. Let’s help remember Tony and others like him as we put forward names for this award. – JOHN.