New role and medal for homelessness charity hero Ann

One of the founding volunteers and a former trustee of homelessness charity Emmaus Mossley has started a new role as Honorary President and received a medal to recognise her outstanding contribution.

Saddleworth resident Ann Thorne recently accepted the voluntary role of Honorary President of Emmaus Mossley.

The charity supports 26 formerly homeless people by providing them with a home, work, companionship and individual support.

In addition to her new role, Ann has also received an Emmaus UK Founders’ Medal in recognition of her outstanding voluntary service to the Emmaus movement.

Ann was recently presented with the medal by Selwyn Image CBE, Vice President of Emmaus UK and the founder of Emmaus Cambridge, the first Emmaus community in the UK.

Ann said: “I was surprised, honoured, delighted and humbled to be asked to be President of Emmaus Mossley.

"Every time I go to Longlands Mill, I am thrilled to see how our original vision has so successfully become a reality.”

Emmaus Mossley opened in 1997 as the first Emmaus community in the North West.

Since then, the charity has supported more than 500 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion.

The majority of Emmaus Mossley’s income is raised from their large Secondhand Superstore which sells donated and refurbished furniture, clothes, bric-a-brac and vintage items.

Ann first became involved with Emmaus Mossley back in 1994 and was part of the original volunteer team which established the charity.

Ann was a trustee and Vice Chair of Emmaus Mossley for many years, helping to build support, establish partnerships, and securing the purchase of Longlands Mill.

Ann assisted in the growth of Emmaus across the North West by establishing and chairing Emmaus in Greater Manchester, which later became the Emmaus North West Partnership.

Ann has also served as a Trustee of Emmaus UK, sharing her knowledge and expertise with the wider Emmaus movement.

Andrew Kilburn, Chair of Emmaus Mossley, said: “We are delighted that Ann has agreed to serve as our Honorary President.

"Ann has been a major influence in the development of Emmaus both at Mossley and the wider North West, and the Founders’ Medal is deserved recognition of that contribution.

"We are looking forward to working with Ann in her new role to develop and improve our services in Mossley.”

To find out more and support Emmaus Mossley, head to: https://emmaus.org.uk/mossley/

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