Charity heroes win award
APAIR of prolific fundraisers have been crowned heroes for their tireless work in the community.
Jaqui Collins, 53 and her mum Mo, 77, from Accrington, have raised £35,000 for charities across the region.
Crowned TSB’s local heroes they won a £1,000 prize, and promptly used the money to buy a new defibrillator for first responders.
Former Hollins pupil Jaqui, who also donated a kidney to a total stranger in May, says they were overwhelmed by the award.
She said: “For us it is just good to do something that helps and it is nice to know that we are helping people and strangers who need a bit of extra support, which is wonderful.
“It is nice to know that we are making a difference to someone’s life and it makes you feel good about yourself.”
A former Army officer, Jaqui began working with charities during a NATO tour of Bosnia in 2000.
Retiring in 2014, after 32 years, she returned to Accrington and began fundraising with her mum. She will start as a project worker for Veterans In Communities (VIC) based in Haslingden, in the New Year.
Jaqui said: “We managed to raise £5,000 for a local orphanage. My mum was already fundraising in Accrington and I could drive, so when I got back we joined forces.”
Together, Jaqui and Mo have taken on some big challenges. With friend Deborah Keenan, Jaqui and Mo travelled between four hospices - East Lan- cashire, Derian House, Pendleside, and St Catherine’s - on mobility scooters, raising over £600.
Jaqui said: “It was wonderful. We had people coming out of their homes to hand out loose change and telling us that they were waiting for us to pass by. The hospices were really supportive and said it wasn’t about the money but raising awareness and you can’t put a price on that.”
Jaqui said she decided to donate a kidney to emulate a couple of army friends.
She said: “I thought that it was just a lovely thing to do. Saving someone’s life, and no other family members needed mine so I thought I would give it to someone else. I’ve had a little bit of difficulty but I am cracking on as best I can, you can’t just sit at home and moan about it.”
Donna Greenwood, 48, from Clayton-le-Moors, was one of the people who nominated Jaqui.
She said: “She is just lovely, such a kind hearted woman.
“She’s just amazing.”