Pat Stewart awarded Hon Life Membership of PDS

Pat Stewart has been awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Parkinson’s Disease Society, in recognition of her many years of voluntary support.

The award is designed to recognise and thank members who have devoted exceptional amounts of time and energy to the work of the Society, either as a fundraiser, or in promoting awareness of the condition and helping local people with Parkinson’s.

Mark Dumas, Chairman of the PDS Board of Trustees, presented Pat with her award at the charity’s Annual Conference, held in the Glasgow over the weekend of 22 and 23 September 2007.
Pat has been involved with the Edinburgh branch for over three decades and has provided help and support to hundreds of people since. Pat’s father was a founding member of the branch and she joined the committee in 1980. For the last eight years she has served as Honorary Secretary, supporting our 240 members. She has worked hard over the years to generate awareness of the PDS locally, to fundraise for the Society and to support others.
Patrick Mark, Chair of the Edinburgh branch, is in no doubt that Pat deserves her award for all her years of hard work. He said: “Pat’s experience, judgement, sensitivity and efficiency have been of immense help to everyone involved with the Edinburgh branch. She knows everyone, is involved in everything and is the universal contact for Parkinson’s in Edinburgh.”

Steve Ford, Chief Executive of the Parkinson’s Disease Society, said: “We cannot thank people like Pat enough. Over the years she has given up so much of her time to offer help and support to local people living with Parkinson’s and to raise funds for the PDS. As a charity so dependent on and indebted to its supporters, we are extremely grateful for all her hard work, tireless enthusiasm and generosity of spirit.

 

Gina Allen moves on

As you will see from Gina’s letter below, she is moving to a new position with the PDS.

I am sure that everyone in the Branch will want to join me in thanking her very much for her tremendous work for us all over the past years, and wishing her well in her new position.

Obviously her moving will be a great loss to the Branch, but we plan to find a replacement as soon as we possibly can to continue her good work. We will keep you informed of progress.

Patrick Mark
Chairman
14 August 2007

GOODBYE….. AND HELLO

I am writing to let you all know that after five years as Community Support Worker for the Branch, I have decided to move on.

I have always really enjoyed this job and considered myself fortunate to be able to work with so many nice people. I will take away lots of happy memories and I would like to thank everyone who has welcomed me into their home over the years, and also for plying me with tea and cakes. I really don’t know where the time has gone…..or maybe that is also a sign of getting older!

However, I am not going away….I have accepted the post of Branch and Volunteer Support Officer for the Society, and take up that role on 3^rd September. This means I will be working with other branches as well as Edinburgh Branch. So, although I won’t be able to visit you at home I hope to still see you from time to time, albeit in a very different capacity. But, more of that in another newsletter……

Best wishes

Gina Allen