Jenny Simmonds

Jenny's community involvement began in her late teens as an Oficer in the Boy's Brigade and a member of St. John Ambulance Brigade giving First Aid and Nursing care at many events. With her husband and two children she later moved to Somerset where she became involved in Village life. She joined the PTA at the village school, becoming a Governor with responsibility for Special Needs children, a role she has held for 7 years. The Village Hall needed replacement so Jenny joined that Committee later becoming Chairman and helping to see the project through. There was no provision for pre school children in the Village and the new Hall seemed an ideal place so, now with a third child, Jenny secured funding through a Millenium Award to start a Toddler Group which opened in 2000. It still flourishes, led by Jenny, self supporting and seen as a vital support by the parents and carers who attend. This led to her running a play scheme in the school holidays for a number of years. After her husband had chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant Jenny was challenged to run the Race for Life so she took up running and has run the Race for Life four times. She has also run longer races for the school and the Haiti Hospital Appeal. She has taken assemblies on a regular basis in local schools. All of this she has done with an infectious enthusiasm and a smile, encouraging others and readily answering any calls for help. She asks for no reward but would be proud to carry the Olympic Flame.