We are proud as punch that our very own Karen Harper is a Merseyside Woman of the Year Community Change Award winner! Let’s roll back a few months…
Karen Harper – Our Centre Manager and #MOTY2019 Award Winner
Most people visiting the Rhys Jones Community Centre know and love our Centre Manager and Director, Karen. She has been there since year dot. First, as a volunteer and then taking the reins with Sharon when the old charity could no longer continue running the Centre in 2016. It took some doing to get the doors open again for a re-launch in May 2017.
Her hard work has created a community hub for Croxteth Park, a lasting legacy to Rhys Jones. The Rhys Jones Community Centre is a safe place for young people to hang out and for people of all ages to join together.
I know she’ll say it’s not just her.
And that is true, Karen has support.
But the reality is, it is our Karen that opens the doors, runs around like a blue-arsed fly, wipes the tears, ensures people are fed, organises sessions, saves the day and more. Every day.
Merseyside Woman of The Year Nomination
Earlier this year, Karen was nominated for Merseyside Woman of the Year. Let me tell you, she huffed, stomped, sulked, and finally accepted that, even if she didn’t like it, a nomination could be good for the Centre. Anyone who knows Karen will know just how much she avoids publicity and recognition!
So a nomination went in…
THEN
Our very own Karen Harper was selected as a FINALIST!!
WOW! We were over the moon. Our community were over the moon. The messages of congrats flooded in.
Karen glared. And muttered. Quite a lot.
Merseyside Woman of the Year Awards 2019
Friday 28th June was the Merseyside Woman of the Year Awards Day at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool. We made an effort – I took the day off work, Sharon looked fab with her hair up and a posh frock on, Karen looked a million dollars with her sexy blonde hair look.
Jan Kearney, Karen Harper, Sharon Jardine the Rhys Jones Community Centre Trustees at the Merseyside Woman of the Year Awards 2019
We whooped and whistled at a bloke taking his socks, shirt and pants off while doing a handstand (sorry, I lost the photos when my phone died!)
We ate a nice meal and drank wine.
We clapped, cheered and shed tears at the amazing stories from inspirational women winning awards.
Then went a bit crazy as OUR KAREN ONLY WENT AND WON the Community Change Award sponsored by Neo Community and ADDvanced Solutions.
Karen Harper – Merseyside Woman of the Year Community Change Award Winner #MWOTY19
Well done Karen – we are so proud of you!
Karen Harper Community Change Award Speech
Here’s Karen’s acceptance speech – excuse our whooping, cheering and wobbly camera! The transcript is below the video.
I just want to say this is for the Jones family obviously.
Thank you to my other 2 female friends and directors, Sharon and Jan. (cheering and whooping!)
We are unfunded and not supported by our council so every penny we get is off people like you, so thank you very much.
She kept things short and sweet (it’s not often we see her so close to speechless!) As Karen said, our donations are from people like you. If you want to make a difference in our community, please consider chipping in a small monthly donation. You can set it up securely online at our Local Giving page.
