Pat Mayle given Lifetime Achievement Award'

In 2015 Pat Mayle, County President of Girlguiding Greater Manchester West, met a Bereavement Specialist nurse responsible for the comfort bags which are offered to visitors at Salford Royal needing to stay unexpectedly overnight. The funding for the bags is limited and the hospital scheme relied upon volunteers to sew the bags, and donations from hospital staff to fill them. Pat saw an opportunity for Girlguiding GMW to help and since then 4,000 bags have been made and distributed to those needing to stay unexpectedly, A&E and homeless admissions. After the Manchester Arena incident Comfort Bags were also distributed to families waiting at the Etihad Stadium for news of their loved ones caught up in the tragedy.

On 12th October 2018 Pat became the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at the North West Charity Awards for her involvement with the Comfort Bag Scheme. Pat was nominated for her commitment and dedication in setting up the scheme within GMW and helping it grow across Girlguiding North West England Region to a total of 10,000 bags so far.

Pat is a truly deserving recipient of the award. As a result of her “one small thought” an amazing number of people have been helped through difficult times simply by being provided with items that make that time more bearable. From Pat’s initial meeting to the 4,000 bags already donated, members of Girlguiding GMW have been able to see the huge impact a small act of kindness can have.

After receiving her award Pat said “So many good luck wishes and even more congratulations! Overwhelmed. Without Girlguiding members and the nursing and hospital support our Comfort Bag Scheme wouldn’t be possible, so I’ll take this for us all!”

Congratulations Pat from all of us within GMW; your commitment, dedication and unceasing endeavours are an inspiration to us all.