Absent friends

Jane Howorth MBE pays tribute to two sadly departed supporters

“She rang me out of the blue!”

Sometimes a sudden loss merits not only a reflection on the life of the person lost, but the difference they made to your own life. One such is my dear friend, Lisa Pope, who passed away recently. Her loss was a huge shock, not least because she was one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known. But also for her help as the BHWT developed. Lisa and Steve got married just before the charity was registered. She rang me one day out of the blue having seen an article about my hens, wanting to make a donation from their wedding gifts. They sat across my kitchen table and pushed £160 in cash towards me – the very first donation. I had to open a bank account for the charity.

Firm friends, Lisa became my first paid member of staff. She took everything in her stride, creating the first version of our magazine, helping on rehoming days, designing our Christmas cards and painting the watercolour of Bunty which now serves as our 12-year service Volunteer Award. Loss brings regrets too; that I didn’t see her more often, that our closeness slipped as our paths led us in different directions. But the lasting memory will always be of the long, caring hugs we enjoyed when we met for lunch. Lisa was a truly special lady, and she helped this charity take shape in the early days, something for which I will be eternally thankful.