Goodbye – Linda Jowett.

After 27 years at Cancer Support Yorkshire I have decided to cover up my keyboard  and set off for new horizons.  It was a hard decision but I believe everyone knows when the time is right.

Over the years I have seen CSY go through many reincarnations and name changes but the spirit of the Organization always remains a constant ‘to do our very best to support those living with cancer.’

After a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment I decided to change my work direction, left the banking sector, and moved across to the charity sector. What an eye opener that was.  I was overwhelmed by the generosity, dedication, and willingness to help displayed by staff, volunteers and Trustees at the Centre; this was a whole new world to me and I was welcomed into it with open arms.

From early beginnings in Vicar Lane, Little Germany, when I became the sixth member of staff or should I say the Cancer Support family.  From cleaning the fish out every week to sorting jumble for fundraising and welcoming new clients, visitors and volunteers, my life had changed enormously and for the better. I have been fortunate to be mentored by two of the most amazing people I have ever met, Sandra Hunton, our Director and Cécile Levine, Benefits Adviser (my new boss!)  Their single-mindedness and dedication to providing, expanding and fighting for this special Organization was exceptional and inspired others to do the same. It was us, Bill Hewiss, and Linda Enderby – who worked indefatigably on fundraising projects. It was clear that our little Organization would succeed.  I cannot leave this paragraph without mentioning my partner-in-crime, Alison Blundell, who supported me through my early days and then gave me all the jobs she didn’t want to do anymore!! We had a laugh, from punch bowls to pie and peas and casino evenings the six of us were a Team and we were going places.

And we did go places, from premises to new premises, we finally arrived in our welcoming, purpose built site on Smith Lane.  This had been Sandra’s vision for years and it had now come to fruition.  None of this could have been achieved without the hard work, determination and generosity of staff, fundraisers, private funders, volunteers and every single person who ever put a few coins into our collection tin, I stand in awe of you.

At the end of the day, we all rely on each other and that’s what the CSY family do, no-one can achieve their dreams on their own, we all need some support to get where we’re going and Cancer Support Yorkshire is living proof of this.

I wish you all the very best.

Linda