Charity worker retires after 16 years

A DEDICATED charity worker from Nailsea is stepping down after 16 years of service.

Dorothy Close, aged 65, and her husband Bob started up the North Somerset branch of Parkinson’s UK after Bob was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 39.

The group started out with just eight people who met in each other’s homes, but the branch now boasts more than 160 members and the group meets in St Francis Church hall on the second Saturday of every month.

Mrs Close said: “We started it 16 years ago with a few other people we’d met with Parkinson’s. We had a lovely time. The group has a lovely family atmosphere and we’ve made a lot of friends through it.”

Dorothy is now stepping down as chairman as her husband Bob is in a care home.

She said: “I would like to thank everybody who has been involved with the branch over the past 16 years and all those who have supported with donations, help and personal support. I hope that they will continue to support the charity.

“I would also like to thank all the past and present committee members for all their hard work.”

The group’s aim is to provide help and support to people with Parkson’s as well as their carers and families. Members put on social activities, day trips, branch meetings and quarterly comfort days where people can enjoy a range of therapies and beauty treatments at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre.

Anyone interested in joining the branch can go along to the meetings from 10.30am-12.30pm.