SPEED-MATCHING TO BOOST EASTLEIGH VOLUNTEERS - HUHNE

11.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 7th Jun 2008

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne blew the whistle on a novel experiment in speed-dating when potential volunteers met up with the charities that need their help.

The Eastleigh Volunteers and Speed Matching Event allowed three minutes for people who were interested in volunteering for 20 local non-profit organisations to hear about their objectives, successes and rewards - and decide who to help.

Chris Huhne said: "This is a great idea to encourage people to find out about organisations that do so much to help make Eastleigh a great place to live - anybody thinking of giving up some of their time to help each week could within an hour speak to Meals on Wheels, Solent Youth Action, Southampton General Hospital volunteers and many others.

"Without the marvellous voluntary organisations that thrive in Eastleigh, our community would be much less friendly and caring. Buildings are only part of what makes a place: the smile that says people care is even more important" said Mr Huhne.

The day-long event - a fair and the speed-matching - was held at the Point in Eastleigh and organised by Eastleigh One Community and the Eastleigh Volunteer Centre as part of the annual Volunteers Week.

"Volunteers make an enormous difference to people's lives, and what matters is their own commitment and enthusiasm which is why it is so important to match up the cause and the volunteer" said Mr Huhne. "I hope people will look at all the local opportunities on www.do-it.org.uk to see how rewarding volunteering can be".