Dorothy Wins 2 Awards at Mid Sussex Applauds

Making a positive difference for people living with sight loss in her community for 38 years.

Dorothy has run two 4Sight Vision Support lunch clubs for older people with sight loss for the last 38 years! The clubs meet on alternate Wednesdays and provide good food, companionship, activities, events and outings. For many this is the highlight of their week and perhaps the only time they venture out.

 

Her volunteers have benefited hugely from the satisfaction and achievement that comes from giving something back in life. Dorothy often visits club members at home when they need extra help or in hospital if they happen to be ill.

 

“Irreplaceable, inspiring, selfless, committed, thoughtful and kind”

… just a few of the words that both club members and staff have used to show how highly Dorothy is thought of.

 

At the same time as running the clubs she actively contributes to fundraise every year to help at street collections and is also a member of the charity’s Mid Sussex Area committee and always comes along with tea and biscuits to fortify her fellow committee members!

 

Her activities don’t stop there as whilst volunteering for 4Sight Vison Support she has also been a Macmillan nurse doing regular night duties and a volunteer who has supported asylum seekers arriving at Gatwick Airport.

 

The scope of her activities for both 4Sight Vison Support and more importantly for her community have been and continue to be significant and this is why we feel she deserves special recognition for the Lifetime Achievement Award, after all she is now in her 88th year!

 

Dorothy took a little persuading to agree for us to nominate her for this award and her words were,

“surely there are other people who deserve this more than her”.

She is always thinking of others.

 

Dorothy attended the ceremony with her son, and was surprised not only to win the ‘Lifetime Achieving Award’ that she was nominated for but then also went on to win the ‘Peer Nominated Award. This award is voted at the award ceremony by all shortlisted candidates to have an opportunity to select their favourite and most deserving candidate at the ceremony. Dorothy won this from the support in the room and although felt ‘undeserving’ of the award we and many others in the community know just how deserving she is of both of these awards.

 

Well Done Dorothy – and thank you for all support over the years.