Volunteer rewarded for her charity work

Lorraine’s accolade

A volunteer who has been responsible for strengthening Contact the Elderly’s presence in West Lothian has been thanked by the charity.

Lorraine Colquhon, of Bathgate, has volunteered for Contact the Elderly for a decade and received a Marsh Christian Trust award at the charity’s inaugural ‘thank you’ event held at Crieff Hydro.

Lorraine leads the region’s three Contact the Elderly groups – ensuring all guests can enjoy monthly outings. Contact the Elderly organises free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for older people who live alone. Volunteer drivers collect guests and accompany them to volunteer hosts’ homes to enjoy baking and blethering.

Morna O’May, head of service – Scotland at Contact the Elderly, said: “Lorraine has played a pivotal role in ensuring we have been able to offer the vital lifeline of friendship to older people in West Lothian. We are incredibly grateful for her determination and commitment to the charity and our guests. Without volunteers like Lorraine, we would not be able to make the difference we do for those who live alone in West Lothian and throughout Scotland.”

More than 150 of the charity’s 1400-strong network of volunteers attended the event where they enjoyed an awards ceremony hosted by Morna and acting chief executive, Cliff Rich.

Lorraine said: “I was so surprised to receive this award and very grateful to my fellow volunteers who nominated me. Realising how lonely people are is eye-opening and I am glad to be helping. I am always trying to get more people involved as the parties make such a difference to the guests.”

To find out more about becoming a guest or volunteer of Contact the Elderly, contact Jennifer. kaney@ contact- theelderly.org.uk or 01786 235034.