Relay it Again Anne!

Birmingham Parent Carer Anne Barnes will once again be passing the baton at this year’s Commonwealth Games. Ten years ago, Anne was a torchbearer in the 2012 London Olympics, and on Wednesday 27 July, Anne will be carrying the baton once again at a community event being held in Cotteridge Park in Birmingham.

Anne was nominated by her friend Kim Wilton-Woodhouse whose friendship formed when they were both Olympic Torchbearers in 2012. Kim nominated Anne as she has had such an impact on the community. Kim said,

“For over 20 years Anne has been supporting other parents who, like herself have a child with a disability. She has brought up two severely disabled children of her own, and at the same time volunteered for many projects.

She was a Special School Governor for 21 years and represented Parent Carer views at meetings with MPs, Councillors and Council officers.

When Anne’s first child was diagnosed, she ran a befriending service that supported parents and went on to train 28 other parents to volunteer as befrienders. She has also co-ordinated several parent support groups, offering help and advice. Sadly, Anne’s daughter passed away six years ago, aged just 21, and has now completed her training to volunteer as a bereavement supporter with the charity Cruse.”

Anne said, “I am thrilled to have been nominated in recognition of the volunteer work that I have done over the years. It’s not something that I have ever done for praise or awards, I have always just genuinely wanted to help and support others wherever possible, and wherever my skill set can help.”

As well as being a volunteer for Cruse, Anne also gives her time to Forward Carers and has been named as one of the not-for-profit’s Carer Friendly Ambassadors. Anne is registered with Birmingham Carers Hub and has helped to support with Carer events over the years. Thank you and very well done to Anne!