Rotary

Joy Palmer Cooper has been honoured with Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland’s Champions of Change award for her outstanding work in helping the community.

Joy was chosen to receive the award after founding the charity Project Sri Lanka, whose initiatives provide long-term community development for areas hit by the 2004 tsunami.

Its work includes the provision and maintenance of educational and community buildings, funding agro-drinking wells and sanitation facilities, as well as providing emergency and ongoing treatment to the sick and injured.

Berwick MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan accompanied Joy when she joined 11 other Rotary heroes to receive her award at a ceremony hosted by Baron Inglewood at the House of Lords. Minister for Civil Society Rob Wilson presented the awards.

Nominations were in two categories, domestic and international, and were invited from across Rotary’s 26 districts, which take in 1,800 clubs and 50,000 members.

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland president Peter Davey said: “Joy’s work is invaluable in helping those who continue to be affected by the tsunami and she is a very worthwhile recipient of one of this year’s awards.”