A VOLUNTEER from Andover who has supported the town’s Chinese community for more than 40 years has been recognised by the Royal Voluntary Service as a Platinum Champion.

The Platinum Champion Awards are an official Jubilee project to celebrate outstanding volunteers across the country who are making a difference every day.

Ronnie Hoo was one of two Test Valley residents awarded the honour, alongside Andover Trees United founder Wendy Davis.

He has been recognised for his decades of volunteering, helping residents in Andover and surrounding area with issues of immigration, housing, health, court cases, social services access and more.

He describes himself as a “one man citizens advice bureau and advocate”, and says that he “works for the vulnerable people of Andover, especially the non-English speakers with life's problems”. In particular, Ronnie has worked to improve the lives of Chinese nationals living in the area.

Ronnie says his desire to help others started when he lived in Singapore, and he would help friends learn to drive. However, when he moved to England he says he saw many cases of “injustice”, where vulnerable people could not get on in life, often due to language barriers or prejudice.

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He was a qualified engineer, but decided to retrain as a chartered accountant. He worked for the NHS in Lincolnshire, before moving to Andover for a role with Lloyds bank. He also worked for a time as a finance manager at Hampshire Constabulary before his retirement.

Ronnie, who is in his seventies, has lived at Corunna Main in Andover since 1980, with his wife Jenny and two cats. The couple were married in Singapore in 1969, and have three sons and three granddaughters.

He has spent a lot of his own money, as well as his time, helping people. He says he uses the skills he has learned over his professional career, but also makes use of his understanding of English systems and language to read up on the specific practices in any individual case, so that the person has someone with them who understands what is happening.

His work has previously been recognised by the DWP, TVBC, Andover Food Bank, Shepherd Spring Nursery, Shepherd Spring Medical Centre, Adelaide Medical Centre, St Marys Surgery, TVBC Cllr Iris Anderson, Cllr Nick Lodge, Kit Malthouse MP, Sir George MP, Sir David Michell MP, Aster Housing, and others.

“These people have helped me to help the vulnerable and the disadvantaged Andover,” he said.

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Commenting on his recognition, Ronnie added: “My heart warms. I win nearly every case, and I feel so happy. I am so pleased for the people who come to me for help.”

He added: “It is for my wife as well, because of her support.”

Congratulating Ronnie, Cllr Iris Andersen said: “He has helped the Chinese community so much, and I am so pleased he has got this recognition. It’s gone to a very worthy person, he is worth his weight in gold.”

The Platinum Champions Awards, launched by Royal Voluntary Service in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years of service, have given the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contribution of all volunteers, who are the backbone of the country.

Thousands of people aged from 16 to 101 from all over the UK and supporting a range of causes were nominated and from these nominations, 490 volunteers have been hand-picked by a judging panel presided over by The Duchess of Cornwall, and crowned Platinum Champions.

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