Whittington Women's Institute (From Worcester News)

Whittington Women's Institute

12:08pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010

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THE new year started well as we welcomed two new members and one visitor.

Our speaker was one of our own members, Helena Downham, who gave a most interesting talk about her years serving as a volunteer with the Red Cross.

Helena was a member of the Red Cross for 47 years serving most of the time in Liverpool, rising through the ranks to finish her time as president of Merseyside.

She saw many changes in the organisation during this time.

When she first joined, the organisation was almost entirely run by volunteers, it received no grants and members had to fund themselves, as well as raising a quota to be paid to the head office in London for the national emergency fund. Now the organisation is run nationally with many paid members of staff.

During her long years of service Helena met many interesting and inspiring people, who quietly and calmly gave a great deal to the organisation with no reward. She also helped to organise volunteers for many varied occasions from the Grand National meeting, to the first National Garden Festival and the Hillsborough disaster.

This had been an informative and enlightening talk and it was obvious that Helena had enjoyed every moment spent with the Red Cross.

LIZ CHESTNEY

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