A dedicated volunteer who has devoted more than 23 years to helping run the Lambeth housing estate where he lives has been honoured at a glittering awards night.

David Girdler, aged 74, was one of 18 winners recognised at the 2014 Volunteer & Employee Recognition Awards hosted by housing group WATMOS Community Homes.

The event - now in its fifth year - celebrated the dedication of residents and staff who volunteer and work for the unique housing organisation where tenants have overall control of how their estates are managed.

More than 150 people travelled from the 11 estates WATMOS manages –three in Lambeth and eight in Walsall, West Midlands – for the celebration at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel on Friday 26th September.

David Girdler was presented with a Volunteer Achievement Award for his long-standing involvement and contribution to Ethelred Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) over the last 23 years.

The TMO’s Vice-chairman was praised for being a helpful, hardworking and active volunteer within the community who has played a part in achieving tenant well-being and a safer estate.

Speaking after collecting the honour David said: “My contribution is only part of what we have achieved as a TMO and I’m delighted to accept the award on behalf of the whole Ethelred team.

“We’ve all seen our estate come a long way over the years and our tenants can be proud of what we have achieved together and with the support of WATMOS.”

Other winners from Lambeth included Customer Services Officer at Ethelred TMO Fathia Evans. She picked up an Employee Achievement Award for her outstanding work ethic and dedication over the last 15 years.

And Thorlands Housing Management Society members were celebrating too after scooping the Most Improved TMO Award for making significant progress in rent management, repairs and business management.

WATMOS Chief Executive Tom Hopkins said: “The evening was a great opportunity to look back over the past year and celebrate those tenants and staff who have made considerable contributions to the success of WATMOS.

“It is this dedication and commitment of our people which allows us to provide exceptional housing and neighbourhood services across Lambeth and Walsall and we can all be incredibly proud of that.”

WATMOS is the only UK registered housing association where residents make up the majority of the governing board, giving overall management control to tenants.

Independent surveys in recent years have shown WATMOS to be one of the top performing housing associations in the country.

Notes to Editors WATMOS Community Homes is a unique landlord owning just over 2,700 homes for rent in Walsall and the Lambeth area of London. As a charitable social housing provider, its main role is to provide accommodation for people in housing need. Each estate is run by the tenants and residents who live there. Its aim is to create strong, stable communities within safe and pleasant neighbourhoods through resident control and locally accountable tenant management.

The three Lambeth estates are: • Ethelred TMO, 20 Lollard Street, London, SE11 6US • METRA Housing Co-operative, 1 Magdalen Lodge, 81 Drewstead Road, London, SW16 1AX • Thorlands Housing Management Society, 63 Lilford Road, London, SE5 9HN Based on information supplied by Jane Thomas.