Introducing our dedicated trustees…meet Helen

Hi my name is Helen Ormiston and I have been a trustee for Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust UK for many years now. I decided to help out because I think it is a really good small charity that benefits the children in South Africa, but it also helps the children over here in the UK to understand what it is like for children living in South Africa. I first met Margaret, who heads up the charity, when she came to give a talk in my Church in Crouch End, London. The talk was really interesting and Margaret was at the time looking for another trustee and she asked me if I would like to become involved, which I did!

One of the reasons I enjoy helping with this charity is because through it we have made a link with the schools in South Africa and our church Sunday school. Our children have enjoyed sending photographs and writing letters about the things they are doing over here, and the Children in South Africa send letters and pictures back. Our children get really excited when we have a bunch of letters arrive and they love reading through them and seeing what the kids get up to over there. Because Margaret goes over so often, she can bring and take the letters back and forth. We also have Hillcrest AIDS Centre UK as one of our charities at church, which the children especially enjoy fundraising for. When I was in school, I had pen friends in different countries and I think it’s nice that our children can enjoy having contact with other children in different situations.

I have never been over to South Africa but other trustees have and we get regular reports back. I think it’s excellent that we have people on the ground going back and forth and being able to give us good feedback on how projects are progressing.

I was asked what my favourite food is for this post so, to be honest, I just like food, hence why I am always on a diet! … I am not fussy really although I can’t eat feta cheese. My sister gave it to me once and it made me so ill that every time I see it, I am reminded of her – oops, I don’t think she will be pleased to hear that!

Thank you for reading my little story. If you would like to support any of our projects, please donate here. Thank you for supporting the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust UK!