Community helper throws party in Haywards Heath

Sheila Gilbert, 73, was recognised in this year’s Shine Awards, and she has decided to use the money to hold Glebe Road Community Fun Day on June 7 near Orchard Cottages.

Sheila’s friend Jo Kells described her: “She befriends people, she keeps an eye out and she’s always friendly so I nominated her and she won £1,000 for the community.

“If anything is suspicious in the area then she reports them, she’s proactive and really friendly.”

“Once because of her quick response she was able to work alongside the police to stop anti-social behaviour, which I am so grateful for as it was directly affecting me,” Jo added.

Sheila is retired and has lived in Haywards Heath for two years since returning from Spain, where she lived for several years until her husband died.

Jo continued: “From the first day that I met her I knew she would become a friends.

“I met her on Christmas day, she came in and hugged me, she’s just nice that way.”

The party will run from 12.30pm to 4pm and feature live music, a bouncy castle and catering.

“We just thought we would get a bench, but then we spoke to the house officer and decided to get the community together,” Jo explained.

Sheila also volunteers to provide meals for people at a local tennis club.

“She’s chatted to people with drug issues and past drinking problems and built a relationship with them to help them in such a short time,” her friend explained.

“Sheila is a naturally friendly and helpful person, she cuts the communal hedge every six months, has created a pretty flower bed at the front of the building and she even cleans my windows without me asking.”

The award winner befriended a local elderly couple recently and, after only a year of knowing them, the husband fell ill with cancer.

“He was bedridden, but now when Sheila goes away she leaves her dog with them to cheer them up.

“It’s the little things she does that made me nominate her.”

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