The life of an inspirational Mold fundraiser is to be celebrated at a special fundraising event at the town’s Theatr Clwyd.
Beryl Powell MBE passed away last year aged 83 after a lifetime spent raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for North West Cancer Research and other good causes.
Sharon Knott, the current chair of the Mold committee of North West Cancer Research says Beryl was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
She said: “Beryl was a member of the Mold committee for 56 years, almost the entire time the committee has existed. And for 30 years she was chair during which time the committee raised more than £800,000.
“Beryl was very much the driving force behind this achievement and the event we are holding at Theatr Clwyd on the afternoon of Sunday, September 23rd is aimed at celebrating her life and achievements – particularly the work she did to support the community in and around Mold.
“As well as supporting and playing such a big role with North West Cancer Research Beryl was very much involved in Mold Hospital’s League of Friends.
“She chaired the League of Friends for many years and was instrumental in keeping the hospital open when it was under threat in the mid-90’s.She played a huge role in raising £250,000 needed to purchase new x-ray equipment.”
She added: “Beryl was also actively as a church warden at St Mary’s Parish Church, Mold
At the age of 40 she decided to leave her job as a local government officer and train as a teacher. She went on to become head of business studies and economics at Ysgol Maes Garmon.
“And in 1998 she was awarded the MBE by Prince Charles for her services to the community of Mold.
“Towards the end of her life Beryl was actively involved in ‘Arts from the Armchair’ at Theatr Clwyd, a multi-arts intervention supporting people with memory loss, and we are delighted that they will be joining us on the day and profiling their work.”
Dave Evans, the treasurer of the Mold committee of North West Cancer Research says the afternoon tea event is aimed at celebrating Beryl’s many achievements as well raising funds for North West Cancer Research.
He said: “Beryl would never miss the opportunity to raise funds! The event will include entertainment from a variety of local entertainers who all had links with Beryl over the years and will provide an opportunity to reminisce about her life over afternoon tea.
“Entertainment will include performances from Sister Angie Parker, a retired nurse at Mold Cottage Hospital, Arts from the Armchair, St Mary’s Church Choir led by Christopher Enston, and hopefully pupils from Ysgol Maes Garmon”
He added: “We are grateful to have attracted some sponsors for the event including the BS Group of Chester, Lloyd Packaging of Oswestry, Jones Price of Mold, MW Car and Commercials of Deeside and Mold Town Council.
“All the sponsors had contact and worked with Beryl during her lifetime and were keen to offer their support.
“It’s going to be an amazing afternoon and the chance to really celebrate the life of a Mold woman who made such a huge difference to the community.”
The Afternoon Tea event will take place in the Clwyd Room at Theatr Clwyd between 2:30pm and 5pm on Sunday 23rd September.
Tickets are £15 and are available from any Mold committee member of North West Cancer Research or by calling Sharon Knott on 07930 271446.
Captions
Sharon Knott and Dave Evans
Beryl Powell
