Chris’ commitment celebrated with national award

Updated: 21 May 2025

Congratulations to Chris Sargeant, winner of 2025’s Making a Difference Award for Working in the Spirit of Mutuality.

The member of Nene and Welland Oddfellows was chosen due to her passion and dedication for her Branch and the Society as a whole, embodying what it means to be an Oddfellow. She was presented with her award at the Society’s Annual Moveable Conference on Tuesday 20 May in Scarborough.

Chris holding her Making a Difference Award trophy

Give and take

“I’ve done a lot. Most things at the Branch I’ve done or still do,” Chris, from Pinchbeck, said.

Having been a member for almost 50 years, Chris has been Chairman of the District on six occasions, and has stepped up as a Branch Secretary in a temporary capacity twice.

She’s currently a Trustee, Care and Welfare Visitor and an Executive Committee member of the East Anglia Group Conference (EAGC) since 2005. She has even been President of EAGC, and is currently Chair of the Society’s national Benevolence Committee, which she will be retiring from this year having served the maximum of eight years.

Chris is on Nene and Welland Oddfellows’ Committee of Management and Social Committee, and is the Branch’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Chris was awarded the District Merit Jewel for her dedication to Nene and Welland Oddfellows last year, and has also acted as almoner for two orphans for the duration of their support from the Orphan Gift Fund.

Chris enjoying a recent bingo event with her friends and Nene and Welland Oddfellows

She explained: “My husband, John, and I became fairly involved almost straight away. From very early on I went to group conferences and those kind of things.

“Oddfellows gives to me as much as I give to it. I’m 75 now. I’ve been retired 12 years, but I don’t know how I’d cope if I hadn’t got Oddfellowship to keep me going and all my friends in the Society.

“You get to know people. I’ve friends all over the country through Oddfellowship. I love it, absolutely love it.

“Sadly, last year I lost John to Covid and obviously it broke my heart because we’d been together two weeks short of 52 years. It was tough. I wouldn’t have got through that if it wasn’t for the Oddfellows. The people are amazing. I had people at John’s funeral that came from Yorkshire, St Helen’s, Bournemouth. Some people travelled so far. It’s amazing. Everybody is there for you. That’s what it is.

“If I can give back as much as I get from it then I feel that I’ve justified my membership.”

A complete surprise

(R to L) Grand Master (Chairman) presented Chris with her trophy at the Society's annual conference

Chris, a former HR Manager who says that people have always been a part of what she does, admits she wasn’t expecting to find out she’d won the award.

She added: “I had a phone call early that morning from a friend in Nottingham, Ann Kight, who said, ‘I had to ring you because I’ve got an award’. I said, ‘that’s brilliant news, you so deserve it’. My post doesn’t come until two-o-clock so when my post came and I got one I rang her back and said, ‘I had to ring you back Ann, I’ve got one as well!’

“I was shocked because I didn’t know. It’s amazing. How proud was I that someone had thought I was worthy of it?

“That’s two things that I’m proud of in the space of a few months. Three weeks before John died we were both presented with the District Merit Jewel and neither of us knew we were getting it.”

Karen Earth, Branch Secretary at Nene and Welland Oddfellows, said: “The Branch is incredibly thankful for all of Chris’ connections and knowledge, and she is often called upon to help recruit new members.

“She is passionate about the Oddfellows and is great at identifying and encouraging others to get involved at events or within the Committee.

“We’re so happy for her that she’s won this award so that the whole Society can see how wonderful and valued she is.”

Chris added: “I like people and the people in Oddfellows – there’s no judgement. There’s no criticism. People can be different but they’re still worthy. I like that because I don’t think anybody should judge other people.

“Give us a go, you’ll be surprised how much you enjoy it.”

(L to R) Chris Sargeant, Barry Bedford and Jean Logan, all three Making a Difference Awards winners from Nene and Welland Oddfellows

Who makes a difference in your Branch?

If you know somebody in your Branch who has gone above and beyond to help and support members of the Oddfellows, why not nominate them for a 2026 Making a Difference Award?

Any member can nominate another member. You can learn more about the different categories in the Making a Difference Awards section of our website.

If you're interested in joining an Oddfellows friendship group, contact us and we can send you a free information pack and local events diary.