Page 316 - She's One Crazy Lady!

In 2012 Linda was to join us as a paid member, officially doing one and a half days a week, but in practice – working full time at times when we were busy. I first met Linda at a Slimming World Class where I helped Marilyn who was a Slimming World Consultant. Later I gave a talk to Linda’s WI group at Newton Bromswold. After the talk she offered to do fundraising and began with Coffee and Gateaux Evenings at the Scouts Headquarters in Rushden.
Linda’s cakes were always delicious and her cheese scones really tasty! Her evenings were always a sell out so she upped her game and began to organise similar events, inviting other appropriate stall holders to attend. Again, these were incredibly popular so bigger premises were needed; her “Ladies Who Love to Shop” evenings were launched at the Bowls Club in Rushden and then at Rushden Academy. All of the Crazy Hats team were involved and there was always a waiting list for tables – and a queue for her cakes!
Linda’s tasks at the office included managing and overseeing the downstairs area with the volunteers, updating and sending out forms to our ever-growing Membership list, administration work that included mounds of paperwork to apply for Gift Aid, assisting with all aspects of the Complimentary Therapies Service, organising themed raffles and tombolas, and generally, like Marilyn and I, doing whatever needed doing! We were a team. Linda was always so obliging, loved by everyone and, in time, went on to personally organise many more successful fundraising events – her best and favourite event being a Fashion Show that she organised with Elaine (Therapist and fellow Committee Member) at the Pemberton Centre in Rushden. For this they coerced a large number of our ladies who had all had breast cancer and were willing and brave enough to go on the catwalk! Teaming
up with a clothing company called M & Co. who provided three lots of different clothing ranging from casual, evening and nightwear per model, dates were set for the models to choose and try on their outfits and ‘rehearse’. Nerves were high on the night but the packed audience were enthralled by all the ladies who did so well – all very proud and very confident. Carol’s son, Terry, took to the stage to brilliantly compere the evening and other volunteers were
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