Formby woman Susan Howden received her 50 year service award for Girlguiding

Mrs Susan Howden, a volunteer in Girlguiding received her 50 year service award from Mrs Julie Bell, Region Commissioner for North West England of Girlguiding.

The presentation took place on Sunday 8th October during a church parade service at Formby Methodist Church. Formby Girlguiding Leaders attended the service and marked the occasion with a celebration cake afterwards.

Division Commissioner for Formby Girlguiding, Sheila Kirk said: "Susan is a remarkable woman and respected by all of her Guiding colleagues."

In March 2016, Susan was presented with the Chief Commissioners Award which recognises significant contribution and impact a volunteer has made in Girlguiding. One of Susan's colleagues said: "Susan has given her time and talents generously to Girlguiding and her dedication and enthusiasm has resulted in a huge number of girls enjoying and benefiting from the guiding philosophy, adventure and challenge."

Susan began her guiding career as a Guide Leader in 1967 after being a Brownie and Guide herself. Over her long period as a volunteer she has held a variety of roles - Guider Leader, Rainbow Leader, Division Executive Secretary, Sefton County Outdoor Activities Adviser, and Archery Instructor to name but a few. Her love of the outdoors also extends to many hours work maintaining the Girlguiding campsite at Scarisbrick and training other leaders in outdoor skills. Susan has been instrumental in organising large scale events at the campsite such as music festivals, county camps and challenging weekends for older Guides. She works tirelessly to deliver a quality programme for the Guides and Rainbows in her care as many girls and young women from Formby can attest.

Top photo: Mrs Susan Howden (Left) received her 50 year service award from Mrs Julie Bell, Region Commissioner for North West England of Girlguiding

Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK, with 553,633 members. Thanks to the dedication and support of 100,000 amazing volunteers, we are active in every part of the UK, giving girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities. We build girls’ confidence and raise their aspirations. We give them the chance to discover their full potential and encourage them to be a powerful force for good. We give them a space to have fun. We run Rainbows (5–7 years), Brownies (7–10 years), Guides (10–14 years) and The Senior Section (14–25 years).

Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk