Charity volunteer honoured for 'outstanding' work by The Centre, Livingston
A charity volunteer has been honoured for her "outstanding" work by The Centre, Livingston.
Sylvia Moir, 79, has proved an invaluable source of support for Breast Friends and Family, which her daughter, Hazel Orr, founded to support women through a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery, after her own diagnosis.
The Centre, Livingston Volunteer Award is part of the shopping centre's Support in the Community initiative, established almost 10 years ago to pay tribute to people who have gone above and beyond in their own time to help others and reward them for all their efforts.
Sylvia was nominated by Hazel who wanted to say a "big thank you" to her mum for all the help and support she has received throughout her diagnosis and treatment, and to get the charity up and running and off to a flying start.
The aim of Breast Friends and Family is to help make life as easy as possible for those going through treatment by providing patient bags full of products to help ease the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, including mastectomy bras, thermometers, scarves, creams and cooling towels.
The charity also provides emotional, physical and practical support, including running exercise classes, like yoga and relaxation sessions at its new premises called The Heart in Bathgate.
Hazel said: "As a charity, we rely heavily on volunteers to fundraise so that we can continue to help provide the products and services we offer to breast cancer patients in West Lothian.
"We have so many wonderful helpers, including my mum Sylvia, who has been volunteering since the very beginning.
"She is always by my side at fundraising functions and events and spends her time at home crocheting lots of lovely things for the charity to sell and raise funds, which is why I wanted to nominate her for the Volunteer Award.
"She will be 80 later this year, but that doesn't stop her.
"She spent the weekend with me in The Centre, Livingston recently when we were lucky to be appointed the charity partner, talking to lots of people and crocheting too."
Sylvia added: "I was delighted to be chosen by The Centre, Livingston for this Volunteer Award after Hazel nominated me, which was a big surprise.
"I really enjoy getting out to meet everyone at the fundraising events, as well as crocheting to help raise funds and I was very grateful recently for the opportunity to raise awareness for Breast Friends and Family at our recent pop up at the shopping centre."
Patrick Robbertze, centre director at The Centre, Livingston said: "Congratulations to Sylvia on receiving our Volunteer Award in recognition of the fantastic support she has been giving the charity, Breast Friends and Family.
"Our award was created many years ago to pay tribute to people in the local community who have gone the extra mile to help others and present them with a personalised certificate and a £100 Gift Card to treat themselves.
"If you would like to nominate someone, please email us at The Centre, Livingston at enquiries@thecentrelivingston.com so that we pay tribute to them and reward them."
To find out more about Breast Friends and Family check out the website, https://www.breastfriendsandfamily.co.uk/, or drop into their open day on Saturday, August 16, at The Heart in Bathgate from 11am to 4pm.
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