Elizabeth Wood, 70, of Bayston Hill, has been involved in raising around £70,000 for Axis shortly after it started in 1993. Now she is looking for someone to take over the fundraising reins from her.
“It has been very rewarding but the time has come to hand over to someone younger with more energy and new ideas,” said Elizabeth, whose health is declining.
“I would love someone new to come forward to take this on.”
“I will be on hand to guide the new person and help out, but it is weighing heavy at my age now.”
Axis provides free counselling for victims of sexual abuse and has offices in College Hill, Shrewsbury, and The Glebe Centre, Wellington. It was one of the first charities of its kind in the country 20 years ago, and sees around 500 people a year.
Elizabeth was one of its original clients who found her life turned around through the specialist counselling. “Axis lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and raising funds to help others is my way of saying thank you,” she said.
Elizabeth is well known for the Christmas pop-up shop she organises each year in the Darwin Shopping Centre selling knitted clothing and goods provided by her “knitting nanas”. Knitted goods are donated and sent in by supporters from as far away as Spain throughout the year, raising several £1,000s. Elizabeth has no intentions of stopping her knitting for Axis though – “I would be lost without it,” she admits.
Axis chief executive officer Liza Morgan said: “Elizabeth is one of those volunteers who only come along once in a while – she has been absolutely incredible. We really value what she has done for us over the years and we hope someone else will come forward to step into her shoes.”
New members are also needed for the fundraising team in Shrewsbury and Telford. “It does not matter if you can only spare a couple of hours a week with a collection tin, but we desperately need volunteers,” said Elizabeth.
Anyone wishing to help can contact Axis on 01743 357777 or 01952 278000.
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