Specialist Adviser, Carol has shared a tribute on behalf of the Bristol branch for committee member, Linda.
Linda Dawes was a Huntington's disease fundraising extraordinaire who sadly passed away in August 2024. Carol, Specialist Huntington's Disease Adviser for Bristol and the surrounding areas said:
I had the pleasure of meeting Pam and Linda in 2001 when I started working as a Specialist Adviser for Huntington's disease. She is a very much loved and missed, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and colleague.
A Cheque Presentation for £1400 was organised for Wednesday 30 October 2024 at Homeavon House, Keynsham, near Bath, with Linda’s family, namely Pam Payne (mother of Linda), Nick Payne (brother), Nantida (wife of Nick) and Caroline Whitaker (sister), these funds were raised from donations in memory of Linda.
Carol Dutton (Specialist Huntington's Adviser), Heather Thomas (Chair Bristol Branch) and Lesley Dufty (Treasurer Bristol Branch) attended alongside friends of Pam and the Rev Margaret Snook who officiated over Linda’s very moving, well-attended funeral service. A special thank you to Rev Margaret who generously donated £100 at the Presentation bringing the amazing total to £1500.
The combined funeral donations and the particularly well-received tribute page in memory of Linda raised a considerable amount and the cheque was donated to the local Bristol Branch of the Huntington's Disease Association.
Acknowledgement to Pam and Linda
Linda’s mum, Pam was a founder member of the Bristol Huntington’s Disease Branch from 1997. Pam, Linda and other like-minded committee members were extremely active fundraisers for the Bristol Branch. They all threw themselves into organising very entertaining social events for Huntington's families such as Christmas lunches, family days, sponsored walks, AGM’s, silent auctions, and trips to Bristol Zoo and Weston Super Mare.
One of Pam’s many outstanding achievements was being awarded The British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours, which was presented by The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset in 2020 for charity fundraising, highlighting awareness and education about Huntington's disease and supporting various charities for over 54 years. In recommending her for the award Pam’s son Nick highlighted Pam’s amazing charitable endeavours, her selfless determination and hard work and the proposal was supported by various friends and colleagues she had worked with over the years – it was a very proud moment for Pam and all her family.
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