The first of February is St Brigid’s Day, which also marks the beginning of Spring.
Our partner charities are all marking St Brigid’s Day in their unique way. Keep an eye on our social media to see how Irish Community Care Manchester, Leeds Irish Health and Homes and Irish Community Care celebrate the day.
St Brigid has particular resonance for our Women of Irish Heritage Network, as she is Ireland’s only female patron saint and in recent years St Brigid’s Day has become a moment to celebrate and remember the contribution which Irish women have made to society.
And in honour of St Brigid’s Day, we’d like to celebrate one of our own: the Chair of Leeds Irish Health and Homes, Rachael Loftus MBE.
Rachael was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2021, for her work with vulnerable people. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rachael led the Leeds Shielding Support programme and coordinated support for clinically extremely vulnerable people across West Yorkshire.
Rachael grew up in Beeston, Leeds at the heart of the Irish diaspora community, as her father is from Mayo and her mother is from Co. Roscommon. We are delighted to have Rachael as a part of our ever-expanding Network and on the Board of Women in Irish Heritage.
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