ONE OF Reading’s dedicated volunteers has been given an award by TV royalty for her literacy work with a charity.
Pamela Reynolds is one of the volunteers with the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA), an organisation which gives lifelong support to veterans and serving members of the British Armed Forces and their families.
In 2011, SSAFA Berkshire recognised that many of the women in the Ghurka veteran and serving communities were lacking in reading and writing skills, which negatively impacts their lives in the UK.
Ms Reynolds created the Reading Ghurka Ladies’ Project, which has continued to help teach literacy skills to hundreds of women since its inception.
She has now been presented with the Sir James Gildea Award, which recognises volunteers and employees for their exceptional contribution and commitment to SSAFA’s values and projects.
It was named after the charity’s founder, Col Sir James Gildea, with Joanna Lumley on hand to present the award to Ms Reynolds.
She was also presented with a gift of a mirrored drinks tray and treated to the performance of traditional Nepalese dances and songs by members of the Ghurka community in traditional dress.
Pam said: “Thank you so very much for this. It was not just me, but also our very many helpers– I am quite overwhelmed.
“Thank you for the gift and the flowers.”
She continued: Pam said; “I am still recovering from the surprise of being awarded the Sir James Gildea Award, which was completely unexpected, but nonetheless, very gratefully received.
“Working on the Gurkha Project has been a joy and a great privilege for me.”
Dame Joanna Lumley said: “I am proud to present the Sir James Gildea Award to Pam. She so deserves it. She has worked very hard for many years to help huge numbers of Gurkha Ladies.”
More information about how the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families Association supports veterans and serving members of the British Army is available via: ssafa.org.uk
