Christchurch Abbeyfielder Fenn Shaw has received the Royal Patron’s Award, Abbeyfield’s highest honour recognising exceptional contribution and commitment. Fenn is pictured above: left with Executive Officer Susan Jenkins, and right with nominator Margaret Yorke at a celebratory function at Abbeyfield Hornby. A presentation was also held at the Abbeyfield national conference. You can watch a video clip of that here.

Fenn is a founding member and current chair of Abbeyfield Christchurch and was instrumental in setting up both Abbeyfield houses in Christchurch – Abbeyfield Hornby and Rhodes Abbeyfield house in Wigram. She has played crucial roles in shoulder-tapping for committees, fundraising and as an ambassador, and has shown outstanding leadership. Fenn is also an enthusiastic hands-on volunteer; as house manager at Rhodes Abbeyfield she makes a point of getting to know each of the residents personally.

Abbeyfield NZ chairman Simon Hayes said Fenn has made the single greatest continuous contribution to the success of Abbeyfield Christchurch. “She has conquered politicians’ indifference, changes of elected representatives and two serious earthquakes in order to enrich the lives of all those older people who otherwise would not have benefitted from the Abbeyfield way of life.”

The award is made by the Abbeyfield Society in the UK and only one person can receive the international volunteer award in any one year.