Well done Harlow Homeless Centre

I attended a great event this evening: the Harlow Community Awards: sponsored and arranged by the Herald Newspaper. Readers were invited to send in nominations. I sent one in - to recommend Patsy Dye for an award, as Director of Streets 2 Homes (also known as the Harlow Homeless Centre).

It was good to see Patsy winning an award from the independent panel of judges and it is well deserved. For many years she has dedicated her life to help the homeless, and many have been helped through her wise counsel. I wasn't surprised that so many volunteers from Streets 2 Homes came along, to give Patsy a good round of applause.

Many other Harlow heroes won all sorts of other awards, and it is heartening to see what efforts are made by those - who would normally get very little recognition - to help those in need.

Congratulations Harlow Homeless Centre

On Saturday, it was so good to be in the sunshine watching the Rotary Club Abseiling event. This is where a number of very brave people, abseil off the Water Tower in Church Langley, for charity, an event which happens every year.

The event at the Water Tower is organised with military like efficiency, as volunteer stewards ensure that the event runs smoothly. Many local charities and voluntary groups take part, including Harlow Stroke Association, St Clare's Hospice, and Streets 2 Homes (of which I am proud to be Patron). There is also a lovely marquee in which wives and partners of Rotary Club members, sell tea, coffee, delicious sandwiches and cakes.

I was pleased to be able to support Harlow Homeless Centre and Ron Hetem, once homeless, now a volunteer for Streets 2 Homes. Ron works incredibly hard for the Homeless Centre, and does all he can to raise funds, including organising an annual golf day. You can read his story HERE. Ron was going to abseil but had a bad knee, so his place was taken by Geoff.

I am told that the Rotary raises around £500,000 for local charities from the abseiling event which is quite astonishing, particularly in these times of the credit crunch. Those volunteers who abseil, are very courageous. I watched pensioners aged 84 and 94 abseil off the Tower. I got giddy just looking at the people at the top!

Looking forward to next year.

P.S. You can see the video of Geoff's abseil HERE

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com