Lifetime award for inspirational Ilkley woman

An Ilkley grandmother who has dedicated her life to community work is attracting special praise for her decades of selfless commitment to helping others.

Eighty-six-year-old Pamela Arundel Clarke is set to be recognised for raising thousands of pounds for charity and for volunteering throughout her life by being awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award in a London awards ceremony later this month.

She was nominated for the Tesco Mum of the Year award having played an active role in the Girl Guiding movement since 1935. Since then, Mrs Arundel Clarke has led numerous fundraising campaigns which recently included her securing £300,000 funding for a local Scout hut.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Debbie Chernin, Tesco Mum of the Year manager, said: “We are extremely proud to be holding the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards for the ninth year. It is a privilege to be able to recognise the achievements of an amazing woman like Pamela. Her commitment to helping others in her community is truly inspirational. The fact that she still works five days a week at the age of 86 and still has time to support others shows just how inspirational she is.”

Ahead of the awards ceremony at The Savoy, she has had another important diary date to keep. On Friday, she was one of 150 women from across the country to attend Number Ten Downing Street by invite of David Cameron. The Prime Minister hosted a reception to celebrate the achievements of some of the countries most inspiring female figures ahead of International Women’s Day.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mrs Arundel Clarke, who also volunteers as wardrobe mistress for the Ilkley Operatic Society, said: “I am delighted to be invited to this special event and be in the same room as some incredible women – and the Prime Minister of course. I hope the PM won’t keep us too long as I have to get back to Yorkshire to make the costumes for our next production.”

Related topics: