Secretary retires after 47 years of helping children

THE secretary of the Henley fundraising branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is stepping down after more than 50 years of service.

Helen Woods Ballard, 85, from Shiplake, joined the charity in 1977 after a committee member suggested she join up.

During that time, she has helped organise hundreds of fundraisers and helped raise its profile in Henley and the surrounding area.

Mrs Woods Ballard will continue to help within the charity at a reduced capacity while spending more time with her family as she retires.

She said: “I joined as it was suggested it was a good way to meet some people. I was new in the area and one of the ladies on the committee suggested that I join up and so it all started from there. I’d always been interested in children and children’s work.

“My husband Tim was a civil engineer and when we were overseas I would work among children. I wasn’t a teacher but I have worked a lot in schools and I feel very strongly that if children are in a difficult situation at home, regardless of their age and their background, they need some form of help.

“Childline has been a wonderful invention. It has given children help and somewhere where they can reach out for help quickly. It feels like they can discuss with somebody who is going to be helpful and move their problems forward.”

Mrs Woods Ballard, who has three children and six grandchildren, said the way the charity operates has changed over the years.

She saw the NSPCC join forces with Childline in February 2006, founded by journalist Esther Rantzen, as a confidential support service for children and young people. The charities came together to pledge to ensure no child’s call went unanswered.

Mrs Woods Ballard said: “Esther has been a huge example for us with Childline. They joined up with the NSPCC when it became too big for them to organise and she was a wonderful example to us in my view.

“You can help children who are behind closed doors and often very unhappy and in danger. You would never want to know that a child is suffering in that way. The schools have also received much more training and support over the years.

“I think it’s a wonderful organisation which does an enormous amount to bring children and their problems to the general public who otherwise might be hiding away and not able to communicate with people about what was actually wrong.

“Doing charity work, you gain as much as you give. We’ve always tried to make it a lot of fun for people and doing things that they actually want to do and enjoy.”

One of Mrs Woods Ballard’s fondest memories was when the Henley branch held a car boot sale in Stonor.

She said: “We raised thousands. It was a tremendous success but on the other hand we’re quite happy to have a bridge afternoon and make £2,000. We just grab a chance whenever we can see one.

“As a volunteer, I’ve most enjoyed the camaraderie and the fun we have always had in raising money. It has always been a lot of fun, whether it’s a walk or a tennis tournament, we’ve always thoroughly enjoyed doing it.” However, she said that fundraising in recent years can be challenging.

Mrs Woods Ballard said: “It has changed a lot because many more people are working full time and they don’t always have time to go to events like this or get involved.

“We used to have flag days regularly along with a lot of other charities. Nowadays, you can’t knock on doors because that’s far too complicated now and a lot of people don’t have cash.

“The younger generation are very used to using it on their phones and cards but older people aren’t. This has affected local fundraising quite a lot. I think all charities have found it difficult to raise money at a local level.”

Last Friday, members of the Henley NSPCC held a leaving presentation and drinks party for Mrs Woods Ballard at the Hambleden Social Club.

About 30 members attended the event where speeches were given by Mrs Woods Ballard and Emily Evans, a community co-ordinator from NSPCC headquarters.

Ms Evans said: “You’re such a lovely lady and head office has tracked back 47 years so far. Thank you everyone for continuing fundraising. Thank you to every single one of you, especially Helen.”

Ms Evans then presented Mrs Woods Ballard with a letter from Peter Wanless, the chief executive of the charity, which Miss Evans said would be the last letter he writes on behalf of the charity before he steps down.

Mrs Woods Ballard was given gifts from members including a year’s subscription to Freddie’s Flowers and two hand-painted pictures from children who have been supported by the charity.

Members enjoyed a selection of homemade canapés and prosecco during the afternoon. She said it was “sad” to be leaving but it was the right time to step down.

Mrs Woods Ballard added: “There’s a time and a place for everything and I’m 85. I thought it was time somebody took over as secretary that was younger. I want to thank the committee for their friendship. I started off as being one of the youngest and now I’m one of the oldest.”

Jane Warby, a member of the Henley branch, said: “We’re sad that Helen is retiring but completely understand that it’s a time for her to retire after all this time.

“She did everything with a great sense of humour. She always finds the funny side which very much helped jolly things along.

“We genuinely don’t think we could have done any of it without her. Helen has kept us in touch with the headquarters and with the other committees in the district. She always takes the minutes, she has the agenda ready, she does all of the administration that keeps the committee going.

“As she and Lady Hambleden have been on the committee for so long, it’s almost like an institution in Henley. This unbroken continued fundraising effort on behalf of the NSPCC is thanks to those two ladies.”