An MBE for May Richards

Wednesday 7 January 2009

May Richards is certainly not one to sit around, and her unstinting work within her local community at Broadwater Farm has been recognised in the latest New Year Honours List.

May was astounded when she got a letter from the Cabinet Office shortly before Christmas, telling her she had been nominated to receive an MBE. She said, “I couldn’t believe it, and I have no idea who would have put me forward for it.”

With a great love of children and young people, and a strong desire to help people, May has for many years raised thousands of pounds for the Haringey Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Project. Knowing that this debilitating condition particularly affects children, she decided to do something about it and, over the years, has raised over £17,000.

May said, “It’s only too easy for people, once they retire, to stay at home and do nothing. I really didn’t want to do that; I’d much rather be out and about doing things. So I keep myself busy, and I particularly enjoy seeing young people taking part in things that they enjoy.”

May Richards

For this reason May, who has a strong Christian faith, also organises the annual Haringey Gospel Festival, held every October during Black History Month. She invites choirs and singing groups from churches of all denominations to take part, and is delighted when young people get involved.  

Originally from Jamaica, 78-year-old May (full name Etheline Mavis Richards) came to England in 1960, and has lived on Broadwater Farm for 31 years. Since her retirement, she has also acted as Chair of the Broadwater Farm Residents’ Association.

Paul Dennehy, Homes for Haringey’s Head of Tenancy Management (South) who has known May for many years, said: “May is absolutely tireless, and her efforts not only raise money for charity, but also bring the community together. While we at Homes for Haringey work hard to make Broadwater Farm a good place to live, it is local residents like May who really make the difference. I am delighted that May has been recognised with an MBE and cannot think of anyone more deserving.”

May is now looking forward to meeting the Queen when she collects her MBE.

Notes for editors

Homes for Haringey is the Arms Length Management Organisation managing Haringey Council’s housing stock.

It is responsible for:

  • Services to approx 21,000 council owned properties: 16,700 tenanted and 4,500 leasehold
  • Tenancy and estate management
  • Housing management of supported housing
  • Rent collection and arrears management
  • Repairs and maintenance
  • Leasehold management
  • Resident involvement
  • Meeting the Decent Homes Standard.

To talk to someone about this news item please contact us:

Tel: 020 8489 2998

Email: communications@homesforharingey.org

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