Tributes to charity volunteer

CHRISTINE Bennett after receiving her MBE medal.

A FORMER nurse who worked tirelessly for ex-Forces personnel has died. Royton woman Christine Bennett MBE, who was treasurer at Oldham's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association, died on Thursday, May 26 after many years of ill health.

She was the driving force behind SSAFA, which was launched locally in 1975. She and the other volunteers helped out hundreds of families every year, and dealt with any crisis former and serving Forces personnel and their loved ones found themselves in.

Despite suffering serious head injuries in a road accident and recovering from cancer and a stroke, she continued to work tirelessly for the cause, leading to her being appointed MBE in 2006. The mother of two grown-up children, Nicholas and Louise, and grandmother to Evan, Christine also leaves behind widower Douglas.

Her family said: "She will be greatly missed. Christine worked all her life for ours, first as a nurse and then with charities, being granted the MBE and Woman of Oldham. Service not self."

Registered blind, Christine was Woman of Oldham in 2002, and a year later got national recognition from the Royal British Legion for outstanding voluntary work. She was a district nurse at Marjory Lees Health Centre, Oldham. After her accident she gave up work and poured her energies into voluntary work.

She also ran a Greater Manchester helpline from her home and helped the Royal British Legion in Shaw and Chadderton.

Bernard Stone, who worked with Christine for 20 years, said: "Despite her personal adversity due to her health issues, she was a tireless and tenacious worker on behalf of the ex-military and helped hundreds of families.

"She fully deserved her recognition both nationally through her MBE and locally through being awarded Woman of Oldham. Christine was a private person and was dedicated to her family. She will be remembered fondly and missed by everyone who knew her."

The funeral takes place at Trinity Methodist Church, Royton, on Wednesday at noon, prior to interment at Royton Cemetery. No black clothing.