At the recent Ryde Chamber of Commerce event, hosted by John Booth at The Weekly Times, Ryde Rotary President surprised Lorraine and Malcolm Cox with a Paul Harris Fellow award each. Paul Harris Fellows are awarded to Rotarians and Non-Rotarians alike, who show outstanding commitment to community service. Lorraine and Malcolm are ideal recipients, with all the charity and community work they do.
Lorraine and Malcolm's business, Ryde Furniture Freighters, has become very well known for helping those in need. They cart furniture for charities and they donate large amounts of furniture left over from their clients' downsizing moves – all at their own expense.
Ryde Rotary has been at the receiving end of Lorraine and Malcolm's generosity, when they offered to cart a shipment of furniture bound for one of our international aid program destinations.
Tony Abboud from Ryde Rotary introduced President Allen Horrell to the Ryde Chamber crowd (a crowd which, for some reason, seemed to be padded out somewhat with a few Rotarians!). President Allen commenced his presentation with an explanation of the Paul Harris Fellow award and its significance, not only as a recognition of great respect and honour, but that one aspect of the award is that Rotary donates $1000 to the Rotary Foundation on behalf of the recipient. This evening, $2000 was donated and two very surprised recipients were asked to come up and receive their awards. Malcolm and Lorraine are two of the nicest, humblest people you could meet and they certainly weren't ready for all the accolades and the attention. There were more than one or two tears from the recipients and from the crowd as the emotion of such a public recognition of great community service unfolded.
Congratulations Lorraine and Malcolm, on all your amazing support and good work.
Photo (L-R): Malcolm Cox, The Weekly Times Editor John Booth (OAM), Lorraine Cox, Ryde Chamber President Tony Abboud, Ryde Rotary President Allen Horrell
