School governor, Elizabeth Gammon was recognised in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours list (June 2013). Mrs Gammon is 74 years old but seems to have plenty of energy. She has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to her local community of Hanwell.
Mrs Gammon said: “I was surprised and delighted when I found out, but this is an honour which I share with the people that I work with.” She also thanked her husband John for his support. The couple have been married for 45 years.
Mrs Gammon was a teacher and has served as a school governor since 1970. The school in question is Dormers Wells Infant School.
Along with Age Concern she has helped to set up an organisation now known as Dementia Concern in Ealing. With her boundless energy and enthusiasm she has also had a ’big hand’ in the Hanwell Neighbourly Care Scheme. She chaired this organisation from 1990 -2010. This scheme helps to people in the area who are isolated and lonely, something that affects many older people in particular.
The list goes on, she was instrumental in links forged between young people and the elderly residents through a variety of social events. She said: “I think communities are hugely important, and it’s been great seeing things like the care scheme make a difference in people’s lives.
“The aim is to support people and encourage everyone to help each other.”
Swimming to success
Another pensioner honoured in the same list is Doreen Adcock who is in her 70s. Her honour is for teaching more than 13,000 children to swim over a 40 years. Doreen was also presented with a British Empire Medal.
Doreen has taught several generations from the same families to swim at pool in Milton Keynes, her home town. She has a dedicated Facebook page where one entry at least proves this. A comment left there says, “Doreen taught my mum, me, my brother, sister and both my children. Absolute legend!!!!”
Her praises have been well sung locally where she has made such an impression and where she is known not to have taken payment on occasions for her swimming tuition.
Doreen’s been honoured before. She was awarded an Unsung Hero award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in 2009.
Well done ladies, we’re proud of you. Is there an older person or someone in your community that deservers a special mention? Let us know in the comments and we can put their name forward for an award.