Thank you, Fran

Please note: this post is 141 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

We were so sorry to hear the very sad news this week about the death of our friend and big North London Cares supporter, Fran.

Fran volunteered at her first NLC social club last August when our weekly gatherings were still in their earliest days.

At a time when we were finding our feet as a new organisation and struggling to recruit volunteers, Fran brought such energy and passion to those nascent activities. In doing so, she made more of a contribution than she probably realised: she reassured us that our mission could work, she lifted us when we were low, and she helped set the tone for our development.

Over the months that followed we learned what many people already knew about Fran: that she was a total pleasure to be around.

She was great company for all our regulars, and a role model to other volunteers. She had a special rapport with and affection for Ted, and often laughed and tweeted about his playful character and indulged his boistrousness and love of life; in spite of a nearly 60 year age gap, she had that in common with Ted.

We're so grateful that in the months since last August, Fran continued to guide and inspire us. She brought a bevy of her friends on board who became some of our most committed volunteers in support of local people. And, most importantly, she was a constant source of warmth, encouragement and laughter, qualities that NLC will always seek to reflect.

Thank you, Fran.