An animal welfare supporter who works as a receptionist at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Wakefield has been named as one of three winners of the 2022 Amazon Stars programme, winning a personalised Dream Box prize worth £1,500.
Kerry Robinson has taken home one of the top prizes in this year’s Amazon Stars campaign, a UK-wide Amazon programme to thank employees who make an outstanding contribution to their community through volunteering, fundraising and using their unique skills and talents to help others.
Alongside caring for her own animals, including four horses, six cats and a dog, Kerry has volunteered for 25 years at a variety of animal welfare charities – including Huskies in Need and a cat rescue in Leeds. Most recently, Kerry has become involved with Hope Pastures, a horse, pony and donkey sanctuary in Leeds where she volunteers every Saturday morning. Kerry’s colleagues thought her voluntary efforts should be rewarded, so they nominated her for an Amazon Star award.
As part of her personalised Dream Box prize, Kerry received a private flight experience, which will be her first time on a plane. She has also won a £1,000 donation to Hope Pastures which Amazon will make on her behalf.
Originally from Neath in South Wales but now living in Huddersfield, Kerry is working at Amazon in Wakefield as a step-up receptionist. Before starting her career at Amazon, Kerry worked as a project manager in a fibre networking company. She decided to join Amazon after struggling to find a healthy work-life balance in her previous role and Amazon was recommended to her by her niece and uncle who both work at Amazon in Swansea.
Speaking on the reasons behind her volunteering efforts, Kerry said: “My love for animals stemmed from growing up in Wales and being around animals all the time. I now have a real passion for speaking up for those that don’t have a voice and can’t advocate for themselves, and my love for ensuring the welfare and rehabilitation of animals continues to grow.
“I started supporting Hope Pastures by buying the second-hand items the charity was selling online to raise money. As I’ve got four horses of my own, I appreciate the cost that goes into looking after them and I wouldn’t want ours to be left without anyone to look after them. Now I volunteer every Saturday morning at the sanctuary and I just love being able to give back - it’s very rewarding work.”
Kerry added: “I don’t do things for any gratitude or rewards, so this is just amazing. I am truly delighted and can’t wait to help more animals with my prize.”
Amanda Searle Hope Pastures Sanctuary Manager, added: “The commitment that Kerry and all the volunteers show to Hope Pastures continues to astound me: we are truly grateful for their support and dedication. We are so proud that Kerry has won an Amazon Star award and would like to thank Amazon for the kind donation on her behalf that will aid us in helping more horses, donkeys and ponies in need.”
David Benfell, General Manager at Amazon in Wakefield, said: “Kerry’s efforts in the community are inspiring and we’re so pleased she’s been rewarded with the Amazon Star award. Kerry is a highly valued member of the team here at Amazon in Wakefield and we’re proud of everything she’s achieved by going the extra mile for a cause she cares so deeply about.”
Now in its third year, Amazon Stars is a UK-wide campaign that recognises and rewards Amazon employees who make an outstanding contribution to the local community by using their skills, time and knowledge to help others.
Amazon employees in the company’s UK operations network do exceptional work to deliver for customers. Many of them have been combining their great work at Amazon with serving their communities through volunteering their time, raising funds and much more.
In 2020, to recognise and reward the Amazon heroes going the extra mile for others, Amazon created the Amazon Stars programme. At the end of each year, employees are called to nominate colleagues who have done outstanding work inside and outside of Amazon.
Hundreds of nominations were received in the UK this year, with inspiring stories of employees working to meet the needs of colleagues, customers and communities.
