Coral presented with British Citizen Award
A WOMAN who has donated her rare blood for more than two decades has been recognised for her community work with a British Citizen Award.
Coral June Kelham (86), of Barrowupon-Soar, was nominated by her daughter Penny Wardle and was presented with her award by television presenter Michael Underwood. It featured a day out in London at the Palace of Westminster, hosted by the Rt Hon Lord Dholakia.
Coral belongs to a fairly rare blood group - A Rhesus Negative (about 7 per cent of the population). She started giving blood to the National Blood Transfusion Service in 1977 and gave blood every year for the next 26 years until she reached the age of 70.
She donated in Leicester then in Loughborough.
Daughter Penny said: “Mum has always been very proud to have been a blood donor and likes to think that her blood has possibly saved many lives over the years as well as being a lifeline both in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments.”
Coral’s work with the Methodist Chapel in Barrow-upon-Soar from the early 1960s was recognised, which she joined as a member of the ‘Young Wives’ group and is now the oldest member of the group, now known as the Ladies’ Circle.
Penny said: “From the outset mum got fully involved in all the money-raising events which mainly revolved around monthly Mini Markets and Christmas and Easter Bazaars. Over the years she has baked hundreds of cakes, knitted innumerable jumpers, cardigans and dolls and made endless tea cosies, peg bags and pinafores.
“She has also spent many Saturday mornings manning a stall and this is also something that she still does to this day.”
And Coral’s work for the charity International Aid Trust was also recognised.
More than 10 years ago, she started knitting jumpers and cardigans for the charity, destined for children in Eastern Europe, India and Africa.
Penny said: “Mum willingly agreed and since then has knitted innumerable jumpers and cardigans. She is rarely seen without knitting needles in her hand and loves the thought that she is helping children in many parts of the world.”
Coral said of the special day: “It was absolutely amazing. There were 32 of us receiving awards.
“There were a lot of people there just deserving as me.”
Penny added: “As an adult I now realise just how much she has contributed to community service both in her local area, nationally through her blood donations and in the wider world through her work with the International Aid Trust. “I am very proud of her.”
The British Citizen Award is open to all UK citizens and serves to recognise exceptional endeavour.