Honiton woman, Eileen, picks up BEM

Monday, 15 October 2012

A FOUNDING member of the Honiton Support Group for Hospiscare has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her work within the community.

Eileen Rooke, 81, who lives in Offwell, first found out the news of her award in early May, and was pleased to finally accept the award.
The grandmother of 12 has dedicated her life to voluntary work supporting the Honiton Hospiscare Fundraising Support Group as Chair and principal fundraiser.

Mrs Rooke was awarded the British Empire Medal last week, along with 8 other men and women from across the county who were named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June.

The medal was presented to her by Devon’s Lord Lieutenant, Eric Dancer CBE JP, the Queen’s representative in the county, at a special ceremonial event at the County Hall.
Hospiscare is the community provision of palliative care supported by the hospice in Exeter and the provision of palliative care nurses in each town is reliant on the local fundraising teams.

Mrs Rooke has provided the drive and determination to make this a successful service, drawing on her own organisational skills and network of local people to start up the Honiton Friends of Hospiscare group and finding innovative ways of raising money through lunch clubs, breakfast clubs and involving local businesses.

Organising between 40 and 50 fundraising events each year and looking after the Honiton carer’s group-the bereavement team, Mrs Rooke has spent much time going out of her way to publicise Hospiscare, speaking to groups and organisations throughout the district and working alongside other volunteers.

Named as the driving force for Honiton’s Hospiscare group, Mrs Rooke has been given endless support to nurses and other members of the group.
On presenting the awards, Mr Dancer said: “These people are true community champions, and I was delighted to present them with their British Empire Medals. They have all carried out so much work to help others, and fully deserve the recognition the medal brings.

“I hope the dedication and hard work they have provided to their communities will be an inspiration to all.”

Email: pulmans@tindlenews.co.uk

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