The Tribune

THIS year’s Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award went to Shelagh Farrington-Pritchard for her work with children and the elderly in need of assistance.

In presenting the Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award to Mrs Pritchard, RE Barnes, Chairman of the Sassoon Heart Foundation, said the Award was started as a way to recognise members of our community who give of themselves selflessly to help their fellow man.

The nominations come from the public and it is the people’s award for recognition of work done to assist those in our community.

Shelagh was born in Nassau, Bahamas to Phil and Daphne Farrington and attended Queen’s College. She then attended school in Britain before returning home. She is married to Robert Pritchard and they have three children, Jodi, Vanessa and Heath.

Mrs Pritchard was part of the team that helped to start Blairwood Academy, which assists children who are often multi-sensory learners.

Twelve years ago Shelagh Pritchard got involved with the Women’s Corona Society in the Bahamas.

Through the Corona Society she became involved with the ‘Help for Children Activity group’ and their outreach with all of the Children’s Homes. Her focus-group worked closely with The Elizabeth Estates Children’s Home where she and team members helped young people with building a library, renovations, scholarships, homework, tutoring and life-skills such as sewing. She also helped organise monthly birthday parties for the children and educational/fun excursions for the children from the four children’s homes.

RE Barnes said: “The many people who have worked with Shelagh Pritchard praise her with wonderful compliments. She is the go to girl for churches of every denomination, orphanages, homes for the elderly, the AIDS camp, The Bahamas Red Cross, Inner Wheel, Rotary Club of East Nassau and a number of other organisations. She is described as being a tireless worker and a great networker to get things taken care of for every cause imaginable”.

In accepting her award Mrs Pritchard said: “It’s not about us…it is about helping those in need”.

She expressed a heart for the young people of The Bahamas and service.

She said she learnt a lot about service and giving from her mother, who worked along with Lady Sassoon, many years age.

She went on to add: “The ability to shape a better tomorrow lies in our hands”.