Jalón Valley Help offer thanks to Elaine Horton

AT their AGM on Friday, March 25, Jalón Valley Help offered their thanks to Elaine Horton, who was standing down after 10 years as president and 20 years service in total.

Elaine stood down as she and her husband, Richard, are about to embark on a new adventure to go travelling around Europe. During the period of her presidency the charity has progressed immeasurably, with the opening of new shops in Jalón and Orba, refurbishment of the

Alcalalí shop, opening of Ánimo - originally in a townhouse in Alcalalí and then the move to the present premises opening of the Santolina Suite of rooms and the social room at Hospital Ferris in Fontilles, to name but a few of the achievements. There is no doubt that without Elaine's vision and drive none of this would have happened and the service offered by JVH to the community would have been far less.

JVH did not overlook the role Richard has played quietly in the background, both as a huge support to Elaine and the charity. So they both deserve a well-earned break. Our thanks and best wishes to you both in your latest adventure.

Pam Brooks has now taken over the mantle of president, and with her team JVH will move forward to address the challenges as they exist today and to continue to promote the programmes which are currently in place. These challenges include:

- The change in demographics in the area and the ageing population

- The current economic situation where more people will be suffering financially

- Although many of the recent restrictions are being lifted, Covid has not completely gone away

- At the moment, everyone's attention is on Ukraine and quite rightly, JVH is focusing whatever they can to assist the refugees, but not at detriment to their support of the needs of the community in the valleys - JVH will continue to seek more volunteers - as people are needed to work in the shops with a new manager required for the Jalón shop, to help with fundraising, to help with collecting furniture/delivering medical equipment and drivers. So if you can spare just a few hours a week please volunteer

Jalón Valley Help is a charity we should all be proud of as it continues to support those who need help as ‘together we can make a difference’.

Please regularly check the JVH website www.jalonvalley help.com for notice of their events and how you can donate and/or support the charity.