Incredible gran's top award for '˜tireless' volunteer work around Rasen

A Market Rasen grandmother has been named as West Lindsey's '˜district champion' - after volunteering with local Guiding groups for an astonishing 28 years.
Sheila Lamming EMN-160605-091902001Sheila Lamming EMN-160605-091902001
Sheila Lamming EMN-160605-091902001

Sheila Lamming has spent the past three decades running Market Rasen Rainbow, Brownie, Guiding, Trefoil Guild and Ranger troops senior section groups, as well as assisting with those in Middle Rasen.

She also runs children’s church groups and, despite the recent death of her mother and poor health of her husband, Sheila has found the time to visit elderly and frail members of her neighbourhood to make sure they have what they need.

Multi-talented Sheila picked up West Lindsey District Council’s district champion award at a ceremony in Market Rasen’s Festival Hall on April 28.

The special award is given to people who work tirelessly for their communities on a voluntary basis - and Sheila says she is ‘honoured’.

She said: “I was absolutely astounded when I got the [nomination] letter.

“I’m very honoured and delighted to have been awarded.

“I should accept the award on behalf of the other Guiders and people at the church who help me.

“There’s an awful lot of people doing similar work to me.

“The Guiding promise is to do our best, think about our beliefs and develop them and serve the Queen and our community. I like to keep my promise.

“The children are the next generation. We need to start them on the right track.

“Guiding and church gives you a solid foundation for life.”

Sheila has been a regional and county commissioner for North East England Guiding at various times, and devotes up to two evenings a week to supporting these groups of girls.

She also runs first aid training courses for the girl guides across the region and often gives up whole days to train other leaders in first aid.

And Sheila was instrumental in setting up Market Rasen’s Messy Church (at St Thomas’ Market Rasen) several years ago.

This gives children and their parents the opportunity, both on Sundays and mid-week, to share in various activities and community projects.

And on top of all this, Sheila runs a Sunday morning children’s church at St Thomas’ too.

The council’s community awards are designed to recognise the achievements and contribution of people who volunteer and contribute to their communities.

At the start of the evening, Caistor and Yarborough councillor Owen Bierley said: “Members have shaped and created this awards ceremony to give recognition to the numerous people who give up much of their free time to make West Lindsey a better place.”

Coun Giles McNeill, who presented Sheila’s award, said: “Throughout the district there are so many individuals that work tirelessly for their communities on a voluntary basis, and for the benefit of local people, their villages and parish. The number and quality of the nominations received were astounding and very difficult for our independent panel to adjudicate.”

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