Civic Awards 2009 Citizen of the Year

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The Citizen of the Year Award

The Epping Forest District Citizen of the Year Award for 2009 is Mrs Kay Ericson.

So many of the community events that enrich our district could not happen but for familiar but often overlooked organisations. One such organisation is the British Red Cross. The Red Cross fills a special role. Its volunteers are highly trained and professional. They are on standby and can be called to an emergency at a moment’s notice. They also provide routine first aid support for events ranging from village fetes to football matches.

But to be effective, Red Cross volunteers need to be trained and they need to be organised. The Epping Forest District Council’s Citizen of the Year for 2009 is a lynch-pin in the training and organisation of our local Red Cross. Utilising 33 years of experience in providing first aid to the public, she mentors and supports new volunteers.

Medical equipment can be costly and complicated. The Citizen of the Year trains other members of the Red Cross on the use of equipment and organises equipment loans for local residents who could not otherwise afford such expensive hardware.

However, the influence of this lady goes well beyond her work with the Red Cross. Anyone who has ever benefited from the work of Voluntary Action Epping Forest also owes her a debt of gratitude.

For ten years she has been a member of Voluntary Action. She is a Trustee, was Vice-Chairman and then Chairman from 2005 until she stepped down just a few weeks ago.

This lady from Epping has had a profound but often unrecognised impact in our community. In her nomination, she is described as a ‘role model’, ‘a selfless individual’, using her skills, knowledge, experience and in some cases her own money to help and support others.

For over 30 years she has infected people with her enthusiasm, always for the good of our community. The Epping Forest District Citizen of the Year for 2009 is Mrs Kay Ericson.

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