With the sad death of Joyce Leyland last year the position of Honorary Vice President of FFLAG became vacant. Unable to choose just one recipient the Board of Trustees made an award to both Jenny Broughton and Brenda Oakes.

Jenny was presented with her award at a recent Trustees’ meeting.

“This came as such a surprise I was rendered speechless! I am immensely thrilled to be an Honorary Vice President of FFLAG and to be in the company of two women, Norah Gutteridge and Brenda Oakes, whom I have respected and admired ever since I have been involved with FFLAG, is a great honour. The work goes on and I look forward to continuing to be a part of it.”

Brenda received her award at the Manchester Parents’ Group Christmas meal in December.

The event was very well attended with around 40 people there, including some of the “children” and a wonderful atmosphere.

We met old acquaintances and made new ones, putting faces to names and voices at the other end of a telephone. Some were those who had rung for help and support for themselves and are now providing that same help and support for others, very uplifting.

There was a great deal of catching up with people’s lives and memory sharing (networking for the technically minded!), so many enthusiastic people with so much to offer a very enjoyable celebration.

We were so pleased to see Brenda Oakes there as this gave us the opportunity to invite her to become an Honorary Vice President of FFLAG and personally present with her with a framed certificate. This gave everyone there a great deal of pleasure, tinged with a little sadness as we made her cry. Such a lovely lady and ably supported by Jim.

Thank you to all at Manchester Parents Group, for your kindness and hospitality and allowing us to make the presentation to Brenda during your Christmas celebrations, a truly enjoyable and enthusing day.

Bob Allen, FFLAG Trustee