“Rain or shine, sick or well, nothing was as dependable as Brenda Hislop” .
Those are the words used to describe a dedicated Coventry volunteer who lost her long battle with cancer just weeks after winning a prestigious award.
Tributes have poured in for Brenda Hislop, the volunteer who put the needs and welfare of city people above her own and given up her time for the charity Age UK Coventry depite fighting cancer.
The 79-year-old Wyken resident – who leaves behind two sons – had worked for the charity in various capacities for 35 years and was recognised for her efforts when she was awarded the Age UK Long Service Award and the nationally covetted Age UK Volunteer of the Year Award shortly before Christmas.
But all was not well, as Brenda’s cancer made her too unwell to travel to collect the award in person.
As a result, her beloved Age UK Coventry branch held a small ceremony at the charity’s Warwick Row premises with Chief Executive, Michael Vincent, presenting her with her award.
In her 35 years as a volunteer, Brenda visited older people in their own homes to provide companionship and friendship, was a Trustee and Chair of the Charity, and had previously volunteered in the charity’s since disbanded Holiday department and Insurance team.
More recently, she had ‘settled down’ as a volunteer in the Trusted Traders department – working tirelessly every day to ensure elderly residents had peace of mind with secure and trusted tradespeople when organising home improvements or DIY projects.
Speaking about Brenda, Moira Pendlebury, Director of Services at Age UK Coventry, desribed her as “willing to put her hand to anything that would help others.”
She added: “I think Brenda must have given more volunteer hours than any other volunteer that has ever worked here, an amazing achievement.
“Her dedication, commitment, hard work, and sense of humour ensured that Brenda was widely recognised as not only a highly valued member of the Age UK Coventry team but also a friend to many.”
Brenda Hislop with Chief Executive of Age UK Coventry, Michael Vincent, for the presentation of her Volunteer of the Year award.
