Meet Jan: who turned 79 on 2nd May and is raising funds for The Salvation Army in Thirsk.
Every penny raised will be used to provide £15 meal boxes for those in need.
The sensible Covid 19 measures put in place have meant that the Salvation Army shop in Market Square, Thirsk, along with so many others, has had to close. This has led to a shortfall in funds. Funds which provide essential supplies such as £15 meal boxes for those in need.
Jan, a volunteer in the shop, is not one to take things lying down. Oh, indeed not. With her beautiful rescue dog, Willow (13) she is walking 10,000 steps each day throughout May always within the social distancing rules, of course.Each day, and each step will add to the target.
Jan, who ‘retired’ last year is a gorgeous, charismatic chatterbox, and an absolute draw for people who want to feel good about donating and supporting The Salvation Army. Full of vitality and vigour her relationship with The Salvation Army began as far back as 1968 when she gave birth to her daughter, Claire in the S.A Hospital in Leeds assisted by a Major and Colonel in full Army uniform. She did wonder if she should salute.
On retirement, Jan and her husband Philip moved back to North Yorkshire from Shropshire heading for The Good Life on their small holding. Did this mean the end of her relationship with the S A? Certainly not, because every week, Jan puts s down her spade and wellies to head for the Salvation Army shop. There she raises a smile from the customers, not to mention money.
But… That’s not all: in her spare time … yes, spare time, (there seem to be 36 hours in Jan’s days), she assists the children at Sessay Primary School with their reading.
Jan really epitomises the saying: ‘Ask a busy person to do something and she delivers in spades’; all with a smile and cheery greeting before she whizzes off in a whirlwind to the next task.
79 years of age? Poppycock she has more energy than all the teenagers I know. Oops there she goes again, with Willow, one step at a time.