Nominated by
MAGGIE PATERSON
July 23, 2015
I would like to nominate 81 year old Greta Lee.
Greta started fund raising back in the early 1980’s when she owned a ladies boutique in small sea side town of Tywyn, North Wales. Greta would organise Fashion show’s giving locals the opportunity to strut their stuff on the cat walk! Through theses fashion shows, 60’S Nights, Country and Western Evenings, Skittles Competitions, Table Top Sales and Coffee Mornings she raised money for whole variety of local establishments and organisations, a Laser Beam for Aberystwyth Hospital, a new wing for Tywyn Cottage Hospital, a roof for the local Church, plus giving extra funding to Tywyn Primary School, Action Research, the local Young Farmers Club and the Tywyn branch of the British Legion.
In 1989 Greta’s grand daughter Lorna was taken ill with Leukemia , the family lived in Tywyn but the care she required was five hours away in Cardiff at Llandough hospital Thanks to the Hospitals own charity “Latch” Greta’s Son and his Wife received exceptional family care during her illness which spanned over one and a half years, sadly leading up to Lorna’s losing her battle in 1990.Greta started to fund raise for “Latch” and in less than two years she raised over £9,000 organising Fashion shows auctions, 60’s nights, coffee mornings, raffles and children discos!
Greta has never stopped fund raising despite retiring from her shop in 1998. She became the main organiser for the Tywyn and Aberdovey Ty Gobaith friends group in 2007 after becoming aware of this charity who provide specialist nursing care and support to life –limited children young people and young adults from Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid- Wales..Greta put her heart and soul into regularly organising quiz nights, skittles nights, garden parties, street collections, concerts ,table top sales, raffles, auctions, donation tins, dog walks, model making exhibitions, pop up charity shops, paddle sports events, bingo, go carting team events and an annual cabaret and dance! Greta has even managed to persuade West End performers, Strictly stars and dancers from Pineapple Studios to make the long journey to Tywyn for the past five years to perform and support the charity in the local village hall!
At Greta’s 25th wedding anniversary and for her 80th Birthday party instead of receiving presents she asked for donations! The plan was for her to retire once she reached 80 and had reached her target for Ty Gobaith of £30,000 however at 81 she is still going strong and has now raised £40,390.83 for Ty Gobaith alone!
Greta has boundless energy, she is kind, caring and has time for everyone she meets, she spends almost every day of her life organising the next fund raiser, walking the streets to give out posters and flyers, calling everyone involved to make sure there are enough helpers, stall holders, cake makers, tea ladies etc etc! She struggles herself financially but every single penny she raises goes straight to the charity often being out of pocket herself!
When you meet Greta you can’t help being taken in by her loving and generous soul! She always looks amazing too, even at the age of 81! It’s incredible what she has selflessly achieved over the past 35 years changing and helping the lives of so many people, Greta is truly is an inspirational woman and really deserves this award, she is very humble and doesn’t ever look for any applause for what she has done!
On Sunday 2nd August she will be in London at an event she instigated by bringing together a whole host of Stars who have been to her events in Wales, to perform at The Hippodrome Casino “Stars Give Hope” All proceeds will go to Ty Gobaith and should raise a substantial amount of money, there is talk that she may retire from fund raising after this event it would be fantastic if she were to be given an awesome ward at this evening.
http://www.hippodromecasino.com/whatson/stars-give-hope/