Spirited Shirley wins national fundraising award

Updated: 28 Jan 2025

South East Lancashire Branch member, Shirley Walton, has been presented with a prestigious award for her outstanding fundraising efforts during the challenges of lockdown.

Giving back

Shirley came first in the category of ‘Giving Something Back’ at the Oddfellows’ Making a Difference Awards, held as part of the Society’s annual conference in May this year.

The award is to celebrate an individual’s success and drive in organising or participating in fundraising activities for charities or good causes.

Shirley is presented with her award by Past Grand Master David Randall

One such example is how Shirley stopped at nothing to raise funds for a cause dear to her heart – the North West Air Ambulance. After a close friend’s son’s life was saved by its crew, she chose the charity to fundraise for in her role as Provincial Grand Master (District Chair).

Shirley joined the Society’s Todmorden Branch back in 2006 and held the prestigious role of Provincial Grand Master in 2019, where she devoted a year of her life to raising funds. She became very active in running social events in and around Bury. From coffee mornings to brass band concerts, chasing up support from supermarket managers, restaurants, jewellery makers and more, she worked like a dynamo to raise money and awareness of what she calls ‘our fantastic Society’.

In total, she raised £9,000 for her beloved charity, North West Air Ambulance.

An outstanding achievement

Shirley, from Grasscroft near Oldham, explained what motivates her to work so hard on a voluntary basis for the Oddfellows: “We can all give something back, even if it’s just a kind word or a smile. In the Oddfellows, we all give back, through care and welfare, running events and making sure people get together. But we receive so much just by being a member. We are what we say, a friendly society run by members for members.”

CEO of the Oddfellows, Jane Nelson, commented: “The Oddfellows is known for its fundraising as a Society but this achievement as an individual is outstanding. Shirley stopped at nothing to raise as much as she could for North West Air Ambulance, networking with everyone she made contact with to fundraise and at the same time to build awareness of our Society.”

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 2023 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. 

To find details of your nearest Branch, visit our Branch Finder. To search for local events, visit our Events Finder.

There are also monthly online open days where you can find out more about the Oddfellows and what membership to your local friendship group has to offer.

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.