BOUQUET OF THE WEEK An ‘invaluable asset’ to charity

A DEDICATED charity worker described as an “invaluable asset” has been rewarded for her hard work with an Echo Bouquet of the Week.

Victoria Samuel goes “above and beyond” in her role as fundraising manager for Welsh Women’s Aid in Cardiff.

The 45-year-old has been involved with securing funding and charitable donations for the past 13 years and said her role includes of lot of “campaigning for change and providing advice” focused around “survivors, families and communities”.

Victoria said she loved her job and her work was “really rewarding when you can see the tangible effects this line of work has”.

Victoria, who said she was very “socially aware” growing up, always wanted to be involved in a “practical way of helping charities” and providing support for vulnerable people.

Woking for Welsh Women’s Aid was something Victoria always wanted to do. She said: “It’s a fantastic organisation to work for full of supportive women.”

Victoria is currently running a Welsh cakes for Welsh Women’s Aid campaign.

She said: “We are asking people to hold cake sales in their homes, communities, or workplaces and aim to raise £40 for the 40th anniversary of Welsh Women’s Aid in 2018.

“We’ve achieved a lot in the last 40 years but, with one in three women still experiencing sexual or physical violence, there’s still much to be done.”

Victoria was nominated by Tina Reece, head of engagement at the charity.

Tina said: “Victoria has done so much for us. She goes above and beyond and has just been so helpful.”

She said Victoria, who has also worked in occupational health for the elderly and helped in probation services, was an “invaluable asset” to the charity and does so much more than “just raising money”.

If you know someone who deserves an Echo Bouquet of the Week, e-mail your nomination, with reasons, and your name, address and telephone number to echo.newsdesk@walesonline.co.uk. You can also write to South Wales Echo, Six Park Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR. Usual Media Wales terms and conditions apply and all nominees must agree to be photographed. Victoria Samuel, fundraising manager at Welsh Women’s Aid, Cardiff receives the Bouquet of the Week