YMCA Norfolk honours 250 years of service

Over 250 years of service by staff at YMCA Norfolk was recognised in a special ceremony at Norfolk County Hall last night (May 20).
Fifteen staff, who have worked for the YMCA for between 10 and 32 years were honoured at the presentation by YMCA Norfolk president Richard Jarrold.

They included hostel manager Julie Oakes, who has worked for YMCA Norfolk for over 32 years, Ron Day, with 26 years' service, Eddie Pleban who has worked for the association for nearly 25 years and Sue Tidd who has accomplished over 21 years of service.
YMCA Norfolk Chief Executive, John Drake, said: “We are fortunate to have so many loyal, hard-working and long-serving staff, who have helped establish and maintain the reputation and good name of YMCA Norfolk, I am delighted to add my appreciation and congratulations to that of our president, Richard Jarrold.”
Each staff member was presented with a long service award. They were: Julie Oakes, (32 years 2 months), Ron Day (26yrs 11 mths), Eddie Pleban (24yrs 6 mths), Sue Tidd (21yrs 9 mths), Roger Goodall (17yrs 5 mths), Lis Archer Simms (17yrs 5 mths), Sue Youngs (14yrs 11 mths), Zufang Liu (14yrs 3 mths), Gus Hawes (13yrs 4 mths), Sue Hewitt (13yrs), Theresa Quinn (12yrs 7 mths), Hannah Deal (11yrs 1 mth), Emma Montgomery (10yrs 1 mth), Adrian Westwood (9yrs 5 mths).
YMCA Norfolk employs over 100 staff and works not only to support and house homeless young men and women, but also in pastoral care in schools, NightStop and Y-Life schemes.
In January a new £3m Central Norwich YMCA was opened, which now provides accommodation and assessment facilities for 34 young homeless men and, for the first time in Norwich, women. A second development is planned to open in 2011.
Pictured above are YMCA Norfolk long servers with chairman David Ingham, president Richard Jarrold and chief executive John Drake. Not all recipients were able to attend the ceremony. (Author: )

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