Mary Watts is stepping down as Chair of Dame Hannahs Ivybridge Supporter Group after 11 years. She has been an important member of the Dame Hannahs family since she first became involved in fundraising over thirty years ago.

Mary’s original link with the Trust was in 1945 when as a little girl she was diagnosed with Polio and spent six months being cared for by the Dame Hannahs staff. Mary has been involved in raising thousands of pounds for Dame Hannahs through a variety of events and personal networking and has watched the Trust develop over the years and seen so many young people with disabilities grow up to lead busy and fulfilled lives.

Mary says: “It was in 1990 whilst attending a Dame Hannahs Summer Fayre that I was asked to join the Fundraising Committee by the Chair and Headmaster Bill Evans. I was grateful that with my family connections to the Devon County Agricultural Show we were able to assist in Dame Hannahs being chosen as the Charity for 1995 and helped raise nearly £6,000 running a Cow Pat Competition at the show.

I was thrilled to be asked to sponsor the Dame Hannahs Cookbook which helped raise some funds.“