| Facing the Challenge |
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Page 2 of 2 Helen passed away last November at the age of 92 but her spirit lives on with the publication of her autobiography, just two weeks after her death (Transatlantic at Last, Seafarer, £11.95). Her advice to others facing a challenge: "Whatever you want to do, someone will tell you that you can't, it's too difficult or dangerous, you're too young or too old... The time is never right unless you make it so - just do it!" Heather Cosens of Stogumber WI (Somerset) wondered if her "normally sensible" husband had lost his touch when he gave her a remote control helicopter for Christmas, but a mysterious envelope provided the missing link - a life-sized helicopter lesson! "Weeks passed and the envelope sat on my dressing table. Can I really do it?" Heather wondered... there was only one way to find out. "Initial terror and panic led to a remarkable experience that I loved and will never forget," says Heather who reveals that her toy helicopter did not match up to the real thing: "It turned out to be faulty and went back to the shop." The successful experience led to Heather courageously starring in a village pantomime, something she says she would never have done before.  "I remember feeling many times that I was not capable of passing this difficult test, but I found a determination within me I never realised I had," says Federation Secretary and member of Aiskew WI (North Yorkshire West) Tallulah Mason who underwent her Compulsory Bike Training (CBT) motorbike certificate.At first she felt intimidated as she stood in a row "with spotty teenagers" all accomplished in the art of balancing on two very thin wheels while steering in and out of cones. Finally her test instructor said, "How about packing it in and come back next Sunday. I can see you've had enough for one day." The following Sunday Tallulah felt an inner confidence: everything fell into place and she raced home with her treasured CBT. Tallulah's confidence has grown as a result; she recently founded Wythit WI where the members' average age is a youthful 32. Courage to help othersIt all started three years ago for Patricia Gaskell, President of Woodplumpton WI (Lancashire), when at 57 she joined a friend abseiling to raise money for their local hospice. "The enormity of our task struck home, especially when the men in charge ushered us to join the crowd of spectators, not realising we were the abseilers!" says Patricia. Making their way to the top of the building was daunting. Within seconds of spotting local landmarks they were coaxed to the edge and scaled down the walls."I think family and friends were cheering as I came down," says Patricia, "but I had other things to think about." Now there's no stopping Patricia who took to the ropes again this year, raising even more funds for her chosen charity. "Without the generosity and support of my WI, I wouldn't have been able to raise so much money," she says. Bernice Turnbull of Thornaby & Ingleby Barwick WI (Teesside) and two friends, all with social care backgrounds, travelled to Nepal using £1,400 they had raised to help their chosen orphanage and village near Kathmandu (found through Internet research). Items were donated to the orphanage and in the mountain village of Dhital the local school had windows installed, walls plastered and new benches. Funds were also given to the local women's group for festival equipment that they can use to earn money by hiring it out to other villages. It was a tiring but rewarding for Bernice (55) who had overcome post-operative surgery for breast cancer prior to her trip. Now in good health, her work continues both independently and with the help of The Mountain Trust in Nepal. "Our hearts have been touched by the Nepalese people and we are continuing to provide support, including giving talks to groups who wish to make donations. The trip boosted my confidence, showing me I can do more than I ever thought possible." |
