JUNE
SPINK
Whenever you move into a new area, one of the first questions asked is: "I wonder what the neighbours will be like?"! I've always been pretty lucky, as most people with whom I've come into contact have been friendly and kind, with nearly everyone willing to help one another, whenever the need arises.
We have been especially fortunate in this area; one of our lovely neighbours is a lady called June Spink, one of the kindest and most delightful people it's ever been our privilege to meet. When Mum was still with us, if ever she was in a grumpy mood, June would call us and say, "I'll pop over - your Mum won't be like that with me!" and it was true - within a few minutes of June walking into her room, Mum's mood lifted and improved.
June has a real gift for making things better, and we are so grateful to have her as a dear friend and neighbour. I have been inspired to write this accolade about June, and hope her story will also delight and cheer everyone who reads it:
JUNE SPINK - A LIFETIME OF VOLUNTEERING
June Spink is a very inspirational lady, who has
spent a lifetime of volunteering and raising funds for the Red Cross – and she has
no intention of giving up!
It all began in 1969: June’s children were growing up and she felt she “needed to do something” – she didn’t want to be left behind, and wanted to achieve something more in her life. This inspired her to start her volunteering work with the Red Cross – work which also came in useful when she ran a play group that catered for children aged 2 ½ to 5 years old. June ran the play group for 25 years, and the parents and other staff were very reassured to have someone in charge with so much knowledge in first aid, nursing and counselling.
June was trained by the Red Cross, who arranged
for representatives from the professions to teach the volunteers: doctors,
nurse tutors and counsellors all gave lectures.
Later on, with the help and support of her
husband Ron, every weekend would find June on theatre duties in the West End,
ready to help in case anyone in the audience, or in the cast, might be taken
ill during the performance. Some of the theatres she worked at included the
London Palladium, the Dominion, the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth
Hall – and there were many more, including her local theatre, The Queens, in
Romford. June loved this aspect of her work.
Although she put a lot in to the volunteering
work, June said also got a lot out of it in return – it was great going behind
the scenes and having the opportunity to meet many of the famous stars
appearing on stage at that time.
One of the highlights of volunteering for the
Red Cross was when over the years June was invited to not just one, but two,
Royal Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace; hosted by Prince Charles, they were
both memorable occasions.
The first occasion, in 2008, was slightly
dampened by pouring rain, but June remembered how kind and sympathetic the
Prince of Wales was when the afternoon was marred by the dreadful weather; but
the second time June was invited to Buckingham Palace, on 15 June 2014,
everything was perfect for all the guests.
June was accompanied by her good friend Lynda
Lloyd; in the photograph taken at the time of their visit, they are proudly
wearing their Red Cross Long Service Medals, and both June and Lynda are
continuing with their invaluable work for the charity.
Working as a volunteer with the Red Cross has
permeated June’s life. Her work has included going to schools to demonstrate
first aid techniques and life-saving procedures, and neighbours also knew they
could always call in and ask for help in removing splinters or checking for a
foreign body in someone’s eye.
June is now more focussed on fairs and
fundraising; with her two friends, Marlene and Lynda, she is looking forward to
organising more events in Havering, when
the restrictions imposed by the pandemic allow them to take place again.
She has recently been given a Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Red Cross,
for 50 Years’ service; its arrival was a little bit delayed because of
the pandemic, but June is now the proud recipient of this prestigious award.
Clare Conroy,
British Red Cross Senior Community Fundraiser for London, was full of
praise for June, and the work she has carried out so steadfastly for the
Charity.
She said, “It’s amazing that June has been
volunteering with us for over 50 years. The funds she has raised over the
years, along with her local fundraising group, have helped us to make a real
difference to the lives of people in crisis.
June is a real inspiration, and we are so
grateful for her ongoing support and commitment to our cause. She is a true humanitarian.”
Because it is now so rare for volunteers to
achieve 50 years’ service, the Red Cross has lowered the time scale for the
longest-serving volunteer certificates to 40 years – which makes June’s award even more remarkable.
June always says she has had a very interesting
life, but of course this is also down to the fact she is so positive, wise and
kind, and willing to help other people. She will be celebrating her 88th
birthday in June, and with her young at heart approach, she is a real
inspiration to everyone she meets. She is such a remarkable lady, and a shining
example of true English spirit and enthusiasm!
June with her Lifetime Achievement Award
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