Dear All at Caring Together,

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Wishing you many, many congratulations on your 25th Year.

Not quite the lovely, happy year of celebrations you were surely all hoping for but nevertheless it is wonderful to acknowledge.

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The work that has been done over the years is phenomenal and is so deserving of recognition.  The loyal and dedicated staff have, and still are, worthy of the highest of accolades and, although being one of the past members of staff myself I would wave these away, I certainly want to express my greatest admiration to all of you.  It is unbelievable that it is 25 years since Cherril joined a group of dedicated local people in Woodhouse as their first member of staff and her very hard work of connecting with the local older people, statutory organisations, local government and many, many more set Caring Together on it’s long and very successful road onto the organisation it is today.

I was very privileged to join Cherril 24 years ago myself and I have very fond memories of those early years crammed together in the one little office sharing a borrowed typewriter and telephone!  The following year the lovely Valerie joined us and bless her, although Cherril and I have both now retired, she is still there with a strong link with those early years.  I believe we were always a great team and I am sure that has continued with yourselves.

I can honestly say despite some hard, very sad times, the fifteen years I worked at Caring Together were the happiest of my working life.  I regularly think of all the lovely people we worked with over the years and can see their faces and hear their voices and still miss them all.

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I know that you all provide a wonderful support service and I say a big ‘well done’ to you for that and I will raise a glass to you (it may be tea) and say ‘here’s to the next 25 years of Caring Together’.

Please all keep safe and well.

Love Pauline x