The ladies of Campbeltown’s British Red Cross shop have bid a fond and emotional farewell to stalwart Sheena Howarth.
Sheena, aged 76, worked her final two shifts in the Hall Street shop on Monday and Tuesday, after deciding to hang up her red lanyard and retire after 37 years.
When she was asked to establish Campbeltown’s first Red Cross shop in Kirk Street in 1986, Sheena was initially unsure, having spent most of her life at home raising her children, Elaine and Craig, while her husband Les was the manager of Campbeltown Shipyard.
However, Sheena encouraged a friend to help her and the pair opened the shop for two half-days a week.
In 1998, the shop moved to Hall Street, first in what is now the stock room, before the shop next door was acquired to create the outlet that is there today.
In 2003, Sheena became the shop’s manager, taking a wage for the first time.
The shop went from from strength to strength, and is now known to many as the “Harrods of Campbeltown” on account of the number of luxury goods that can be purchased – for a fraction of the original cost, of course!
Over the years, the ladies dealt with a number of changes, including the introduction of an electronic till, something with which they took a little while to become accustomed, and, more recently, the introduction of Gift Aid for charities.
Sheena remained in the manager’s role until last year, when she became assistant manager after her husband Les passed away.
Asked why she decided to retire now, Sheena said: “At some point, it had to happen and I think this is the right time.
“I’ll miss it. It’s a very social thing and that’s what I’ll miss most, that side of it. ”
She added: “I’d like to thank all the girls over the years for their help – you couldn’t possibly do this on your own, you need volunteers, and the girls have all been fantastic. It has been a privilege.”
Shop volunteer Margaret Mathieson said: “Sheena has been great to work with, she knows the volunteers’ strengths and it has been a real pleasure to be part of her team, raising much-needed funds for the British Red Cross.
“She has always gone above and beyond what she has been required to do; she was a great inspiration to the team.”
This evening (Friday), Sheena and more than 20 of the ladies with whom she has worked over the years will celebrate her retirement at a farewell dinner.
And next week, Sheena jets off to visit Australia and New Zealand where she will spend time with family, including her daughter Elaine.
After her return in mid-January, Sheena is looking forward to enjoying her new-found spare time and hopes to be able to visit son Craig and grandsons Gregor and Andrew in Glasgow more often.