Tribute to devotion of day centre Member
by Mark Tallentire – The Northern Echo Monday 6 July 2009
A Lasting tribute has been unveiled to a volunteer who despite his learning difficulties devoted much time to helping others. Andrew Bowman died aged 35, following a ten month battle with leukaemia. Mr Bowman, form Pity Me, Durham, spent many Saturdays helping at a charity-run drop-in day care session.
The charity, Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities (DISC), has named a suite after him and, on Thursday night, Mr Bowman’s mother, Ann, unveiled a plaque at DISC’s Offices in Gilesgate, Durham. The Memorial is inscribed with Mr Bowmans’s name and the words: Friends Are Forever.
Mrs Bowman said: “We all think it’s a real honour and tribute to Andrew and the way we thought about him. “We’re very touched by it all. It shows he was held in high regard by everyone.” Mr Bowman, who was proud that he was able to live independently, attended DISC’s Go Out And Live (GOALs) project for 15 years.
Goals project worker Val Morante said: “Andrew is sadly missed by everyone, especially the service users who attended our drop-in on Saturdays. Andrew was always helpful to staff and to other service users less able than himself, and continued to come along to GOALs even when he wasn’t very well. “He took his role very seriously and really did go out and live, which is what we stand for.”
DISC has a turnover of £12m a year, with 380 staff and 120 volunteers working across the region to promote social inclusion and communities. The organisation will celebrate its 25th anniversary later this month. GOALs supports people with learning difficulties in the community. Staff work with 140 people in Durham and Chester-le-Street.
The unveiling event was also an opportunity for GOALs staff to thank New Durham Workingmen’s Club for a £1000 Donation. The donation came about after a taxi driver, whose daughter had been involved with GOALs told passengers from the club how impressed she was with the scheme. A series of fundraising events followed. About 60 people attended, the unveiling, enjoying a barbecue, games and music. Margaret Leadbeater, Project leader for GOALs, said: “it was a good night. It’s a lovely memorial.”
Updated 06/07/09