Two centuries of service: Northern Ireland volunteer's lifetime of giving recognised with award and royal reunion
Stranocum's Pat Crossley has devoted more than 200 years of combined volunteer service to charities and community organisations, with her latest honour recognising 40 years supporting people living with multiple sclerosis
Most people would struggle to fit a lifetime of volunteering into one organisation. But County Antrim’s Pat Crossley has packed the equivalent of two centuries into a remarkable record of service.
The sprightly 84-year-old granny from Stranocum has amassed over 200 years of combined volunteer service across charities, community groups and good causes, making her one of Northern Ireland's longest-serving volunteers.
Her contribution includes over 60 years with the RNLI, 40 years supporting people living with multiple sclerosis through MS Society Northern Ireland, more than 50 years as a church elder, 40 years as a school governor and Show Secretary of the Northern Ireland Alpine Society, decades leading the Belfast Royal Academy Old Girls' Association, and over 20 years with both the Causeway Peace Group and the European Peace Board.
Most recently, her 40 years of dedication to the MS Society earned her a Volunteer Impact Award, presented as the charity celebrated its 70th anniversary. The honour recognised her tireless commitment to supporting people living with multiple sclerosis and their families across Northern Ireland.
Her work was highlighted again when she recently met HRH The Princess Royal during the official opening of Sense Hub Belfast. As patron of disability charity Sense, Princess Anne met staff and volunteers from MS Society Northern Ireland, which shares the new facility.
Pat said: "It was a real privilege to meet The Princess Royal and talk about the difference the MS Society makes for people living with MS and their families.
"It meant so much to be able to shine a light on the MS community in Northern Ireland and the support that helps people feel less alone. That support is only possible thanks to generous donations from our local supporters, which help the MS Society continue to be there for people affected by MS when they need us.”
Meeting The Princess Royal was particularly meaningful for Pat, who had first met Princess Anne in 1985 through her old school, Belfast Royal Academy.
She explained: "During the school's 200th anniversary year celebrations, when I had completed 25 years as honorary secretary of the Old Girls' Association and became president, Princess Anne spoke to me about the importance of volunteering. She was visiting the school in her role as President of the Save The Children Fund.
"To meet her again all these years later was very special."
Aged just 21, Pat began volunteering with the RNLI in 1964 and her commitment to helping others remains as strong as ever, although she insists she has never been motivated by milestones or recognition.
She continued: "I never imagined when I first joined the Ballymoney group 40 years ago how much the MS Society and I would grow together.
"What has always mattered most is making sure people with MS don't feel alone. Seeing how support, awareness and hope have grown over the years has been incredibly rewarding, and I'm very proud to still be part of it."
Stewart Finn, director of MS Society Northern Ireland, said the charity’s strength has always come from people like Pat, who show up for others year after year.
He added: “What has always made the MS Society special isn’t just what we do, but the people who show up for one another. As we mark 70 years, we’re not slowing down. We will keep supporting people through our services and standing up for everyone affected by MS in Northern Ireland.”