SI Dundee Joint President Norma McGovern has been named Dundee Citizen of the year 2019-2020.
Norma has worked as an active volunteer and board member for a number of organisations including Brae Riding for the Disabled, HMS Unicorn , Dundee’s Women Aid and as Trustee of The Free to Live Trust.
In an article in Dundee Courier Norma said ‘she has been left “totally overwhelmed” by the award.
“It’s a huge honour,” she said.
“I feel quite seriously that everything I do, I’m supported by other people that do a lot too. Dundee is full of people doing good things.”
As part of her service at the Brae Norma undertook training to become a qualified fitter of riding hats and this enables her to fit and to advise on the purchase of this important part of safety equipment.
In addition, Norma is the director of the Board of Women’s Aid in Dundee in a volunteer capacity and has been involved with fund raising for the organisation.
She said she first got into volunteering after retirement left her fearing her many skills would no longer be used to help others.
She said: “My motivation came from my passion in my job as a nurse — which is a passion for people.’
At a recent Club event members enjoyed a very comprehensive and interesting presentation from Heather Thomson the manager of the Brae Riding for the Disabled Centre.
As a Trustee of The Free to Live Trust, Norma has worked with Seema’s Project. This project has built a home for around forty abandoned children of trafficked sex workers from the Indian City of Pune. The children are in a new home eighty miles from the red-light district well away from those who would abuse and exploit them.
Recently, Joint Presidents of SI Dundee, Norma and Kate Munro organised a very successful concert and Quiz to raise funds for Dundee and Arbroath Women’s Aid. Over £1,600 was raised and will be divided between the Dundee and Arbroath Branches of WA and used to support the children known to the service. Well done Norma and Kate.
Congratulations Norma. Enjoy your year as Dundee Citizen of the Year.