Dedicated duo recognised for tireless fundraising efforts (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans pair nominated for Community Gold Award

8:50am Monday 26th July 2010 in News By Manisha Mistry

TWO stalwart volunteers who have dedicated the last 15 years to fundraising for a St Albans hospice are the latest to be nominated for a Community Gold Award.

The scheme, which is run by the Review in conjunction with solicitors Debenhams Ottaway, aims to recognise unsung heroes within the district.

Liz Hizli, community fundraiser at Grove House, feels Margaret Hill and Mary Culter deserve recognition for the contribution they have made over the years.

Liz said: “We call them the M & M community group and they have been raising money for Grove House since 1995.

“The pair of them are lovely and they've been so supportive. The fundraising isn't just every so often they keep doing it - they are always out in the community raising money.

“They were are the Highland Gathering, the weekend before that they were at a company day raising money and later in August they'll be at a charity cricket match.

“Margaret and Mary help keep the whole place running.

“We look after people with cancer, other life threatening illnesses and their family and we wouldn't be able to do it without people like Margaret and Mary.”

Margaret, of Bridle Close, St Albans, said she and Mary first joined forces when their children attended Cubs.

At that time they would raise money for the children's group but when the boys left they were in need of a new challenge.

The 65-year-old said: “When our sons grew out of Cubs I thought why are we still raising money for the group.

“So I decided to start fundraising for the local charity and Mary joined me.”

She added: “I feel very flattered to be nominated because we just work away in our own way.

“We have a lot of contact with Liz, she always makes me fell appreciated but it nice to think she feels that way that she can tell other people about us.”

The dedicated duo work tirelessly throughout the summer organising stands at school fetes and local events such as Larks in the Park, as well as organising coffee mornings in the winter.