News Release

28th November 2011

GWEN AND JEAN CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF GIVING

Longstanding Twyford volunteers Gwen Oakes and Jean Gilson enjoyed a surprise celebration when staff and volunteers at children’s charity Feed The Children (UK) presented them with a cake, gift tokens and flowers to mark 20 years of stalwart service last week.

“Volunteers are so important to our work and both Gwen and Jean have given us so much over the years, we couldn’t possibly let the landmark pass without a celebration,” said Brian Main, the charity’s chief executive officer.

Both ladies first helped the charity with packing in the warehouse and now they help in the office. Every Monday will find them helping with the charity’s administration, including sorting out gift aid, filing and helping with any mail shots. If they find they haven’t done everything they need to do on a Monday morning, then one of them will stay on to complete the task or they are very willing to come back and finish on the Wednesday.

Gwen’s husband, David Oakes, is also a volunteer, and Jean’s husband Cedric Gilson also gets roped in to help the charity on occasions.

Both grandparents to young children, Gwen and Jean have led and are still leading active lives and part of that is giving time to help Feed The Children.

Gwen was a teaching assistant in Colleton School in Twyford and Jean worked in the Teachers Centre in Maidenhead and in teaching support services.  Jean has also been a lay assessor for residential homes in Berkshire, been involved in parent partnerships under Berkshire Education and helped families with children with special educational needs who were missing out of the system.

Jean is undertaking a neuroscience course with Oxford ongoing education and belongs to numerous groups and organisations to expand her knowledge and interest in the sciences.

Gwen is also very active in her local community where she has been volunteering helping out in a day care centre for older people for the last 17 years.

Volunteering is important to charities and individuals, so if you feel you can donate some time and skills to help others, Feed The Children UK would love to hear from you (call 0118 9320095