Most Inspirational Woman Award

Trust Thamesmead presented the second annual Trust Thamesmead Most Inspirational Woman Award yesterday, Wednesday 17 March 2010.

The award, which was founded to coincide with International Women's Day, was set up last year in recognition of ladies in Thamesmead who go above and beyond their call of duty.

More than 100 nomination forms were delivered to community groups around Thamesmead, with approximately half that number of votes being returned to us, mentioning four different ladies names.

The winner with a vast majority of the votes was Ann Rosser; volunteer and highly successful fundraiser at Thamesmead's over 50's group, the Pop in Parlour. Here are just some of the comments written on the forms: “Ann is welcoming, helpful and hard working”, “Remarkable at fund raising for the pensioners at the Pop in Parlour.”, “Ann is always smiling and is the first to help.”, “She has a great sense of humour and cheers everyone up.”, “Ann has given me a lot of support since my husband's death and has made me feel very welcome.” and “She's a real asset to the community.”

Ann is a very modest lady, who hadn't even told her husband she had been nominated or was going to be awarded the two trophies and £60 worth of Bluewater vouchers, which were provided courtesy of the Trust. She told us: “I am shocked. I do what I do because I enjoy it. I can't believe it. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.”

It is the second time a volunteer from the Pop in Parlour has won the award; last year's winner was Pat Thompson. Ann added: “I learnt everything I know from Pat.”