Medal for dedicated homelessness charity star Eileen
One of the founding volunteers and a former trustee of homelessness charity Emmaus Mossley has received a medal to recognise her outstanding contribution.
On Wednesday 19 April, 85-year-old Eileen Lees was presented with an Emmaus UK Founders’ Medal in recognition of her outstanding voluntary service, surrounded by family, friends and past and present members of the Emmaus Mossley community.
Eileen said: “I was surprised and delighted to see so many familiar faces that I’d worked with, including companions, staff and board members. I certainly didn’t expect such a lovely presentation, or to receive the Founders’ Medal. I enjoyed every minute of my 26 years’ service and hope Emmaus Mossley goes from strength to strength.”
Emmaus Mossley supports 26 formerly homeless people by providing them with a home, work, companionship and individual support. The charity opened in 1997 as the first Emmaus community in the North West. Since then, Emmaus Mossley has supported more than 500 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion.
Eileen became involved in Emmaus Mossley during the 1990s and was central to the charity’s establishment and growth for many years. Eileen served as Treasurer and was the first trustee to take the post of Chair of Solidarity – the group with responsibility for identifying projects to support those in greatest need.
As a company secretary for a firm in Oldham, Eileen was well suited to the role of charity Treasurer, a duty she fulfilled with diligence and compassion. As Emmaus Mossley grew, Eileen provided the capacity, dedication and professionalism to help the organisation go from strength to strength.
Andrew Kilburn, Chair of Emmaus Mossley, said: “We were delighted that Eileen was able to join us and that we had an opportunity to celebrate her tremendous contribution to the creation, development and growth of Emmaus Mossley. She was one of the originals who were involved at the very start of the project.
“We owe her a tremendous debt and the award of the Founders’ Medal is a fitting recognition of her role. It is an honour given to very few and we were very pleased to mark the occasion with Eileen, her family and friends.”
To find out more and support Emmaus Mossley head to emmaus.org.uk/mossley/.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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