Pat Orridge shares her inspiring journey of volunteering after retiring to Cornwall eight years ago, following the loss of her husband. She began her volunteer work with the Duke of Edinburgh Award in North Cornwall. Initially uncertain about the role, she quickly found herself named as the coordinator and tasked with naming the award centre. Over the years, Pat expanded her involvement, becoming a trustee at a youth club and running the Duke of Edinburgh Award program for many years. Her dedication to the community also extended to fundraising, particularly for the local football club, where she organized events like the annual dog show and village loop walk.
Pat’s efforts didn’t stop there. She took on the challenge of raising money for a new clubhouse for the football club, successfully raising around £80K in just two years, leading to the start of the foundation’s construction. Her hard work was recognized when the football club was nominated for Grassroots Football Club of the Year, making it to the finalists. Pat’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and a passion for supporting her community, showing the power of one individual to make a significant impact.
