Charity worker is Woman of Oldham

DI HEFFERNAN with the Oldham Evening Chronicle Rosebowl

DI HEFFERNAN, a charity stalwart who never seeks the limelight, has been thrust centre stage as the 2008 Woman of Oldham.

Mrs Heffernan (73), wife of Oldham and Saddleworth Parish Councillor Derek Heffernan, began her charity work when he was chairman of the parish council more than 20 years ago.

She was chosen as the 16th Woman of Oldham at the annual charity lunch at the White Hart, Lydgate, yesterday. And she was presented with the Chronicle crystal rosebowl and a bouquet of flowers by Woman of Oldham Committee chairman Mrs Anne Sankaran.

Making the announcement to the audience of 220 women, Mrs Sankaran said: “She never seeks the limelight and prefers to be a part of the background.”

Mrs Heffernan, from Scouthead, said: “Derek will be absolutely thrilled about this but I don’t know what to say.

“I am absolutely staggered. I have been coming to these lunches for a number of years but I had no inkling it would be me.”

Her charity work includes Macmillan Cancer Support, the Chernobyl Children’s Campaign, mayoral charities, Oldham disability groups and the Saddleworth Parish Council chairman’s charities.

Over the years the annual Woman of Oldham lunch has raised more than £51,000 for good causes, and this year’s charity is the Oldham Cancer Support Centre.

Organisers hope to beat last year’s total of £7,000, and Oldham Cancer Support spokeswoman June Wild told the guests how the centre in Failsworth is staffed by 50 volunteers including therapists.

It offers information, self-help and support, benefits advice, therapies, counselling and the talk in a relaxed atmosphere.

Treatments are free but it costs £24,000 a year to run. The centre relies entirely on donations and support from the primary care trust.

After the lunch the audience was entertained by Gay Rhodes, speaker, trainer and public speaking adjudicator.