County delight at Pat Mayle's award

Girlguiding Greater Manchester West is delighted to announce that Pat Mayle has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours with an MBE for services to Girlguiding and for the Covid response.

The Comfort Bag scheme started in 2015 when Pat a Girlguiding Greater Manchester West volunteer, met a Bereavement Specialist Nurse at Salford Royal hospital. The bereavement team put together bags of toiletries for visitors who had to stay unexpectedly overnight with loved ones. Funding for the group was limited and relied on donations from the hospital staff. Pat saw an opportunity for units in Girlguiding Greater Manchester West to help and from that “One small thought” the Comfort Bag scheme has grown. The whole county got behind the initiative which has grown to include other areas in Girlguiding North West England. Now, many hospitals, hospices and refuges for the vulnerable across the region of Girlguiding North West England and beyond are being supplied with Comfort Bags from Girlguiding members. Over 2600 bags were given out during the peak of the pandemic.

In relation to her award, Pat said "I'm a bit astounded by it, It came as a bolt from the blue, I heard about it around two weeks ago but I've had to keep a tight lid on it, I've had such a good team and it wasn't just me. The other leaders have been brilliant". Congratulations Pat, very well deserved.