Christchurch Housing Society volunteer Cynthia Moss given Christchurch Town Council award for 50 years of service – 25 years after mother received the accolade

A VOLUNTEER has received an award in recognition of 50 years of dedicated service – 25 years after her mother was given the same accolade.

Cynthia Moss (83) received a Meritorious Award from Christchurch Town Council during the recent annual meeting for her work with Christchurch Housing Society.

She said: “Thank you very much for this honour. I could not have done this without the help of committee members. I am very, very grateful as this is, in fact, a double honour for me because my mother Edna Baker got this award 25 years ago in 2000.”

Cynthia has been working for the charity, which was set up in 1946 and provides accommodation for elderly people, since she was 12.

The charity was founded by Stanley Kermode, who had been brought up in poverty. After becoming a successful builder and Christchurch councillor, he set out to provide homes and comfort for elderly people.

Cynthia received the award during a presentation at Druitt Hall, which was built by Mr Kermode.

She said: “It was known as Christchurch Citizen’s Association, then becoming Christchurch Housing and Welfare Society; but when people started paying by cheque they decided to shorten the name.”

Cynthia revealed that her mother became involved with the charity while visiting her auntie, who was living in a home run by the charity. She said: “All the family became involved, my father and brother included. I’ve just kept going because I enjoy it.

“We have done so much since those days and my daughter does her bit now, too. We have different care homes in Christchurch and Highcliffe, and retirement flats too.