AN ENTIRE lunch club for the elderly have nominated their helper for her devotion and kindness.
Members of the RISE (Reaching the Isolated Elderly) club, who meet in St Barnabas Church Hall, The Fairway, Northolt, praised mum-of-three Helen Lane for helping the sick and blind – often in their own homes – and going that extra mile to help the housebound.
A familiar comment was, ‘you name it, she does it, and always with a smile’.
Bob Straker, 77, said: “I had a chance to go for Christmas dinner in Ruislip and Helen arranged to pick up and take me or I would have been all alone. Nothing is too much trouble. She’s the best.”
Eileen Mortimer, 78, said: “Helen is wonderful. It would not be the same without her. She is so full of love.”
Helen, 48, from Northolt, started volunteering for RISE 18 months ago after hearing they needed help.
She said: “I filled in for people on holiday and was only supposed to be here for four weeks but stayed.
“It is so important for the elderly as so many services have shut.
“Many are isolated and lonely and this is company for them. Sometimes it’s the only place they go. I don’t mind what I do. Sometimes people just need someone to talk to.”
The club offers a range of activities such as arts and crafts, local outings and speakers.
