Good neighbour Patricia ‘always puts others first’

Patricia Guilfoyle: “I absolutely love my job”

PATRICIA Guilfoyle frequently raises money for charity, supports neighbours through bereavement and illness and is an active member of her local church.

All this is on top of her work with the council’s additional and complex needs service which helps children with special needs get the support they require.

The 60-year-old, of Oakbank Avenue, Chadderton, says she doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary.

But her neighbours disagree and they are so proud of Patricia that they have nominated her for a Pride in Oldham Award.

Patricia, a mother-of-four, started her job with the council’s education service eight years ago following the death of her husband, Tom.

Previously, she worked as a nursery nurse at Gorse Bank School, which is now Kingfisher, and at Netherhey Street respite care home in Glodwick.

The grandmother of seven said: “I absolutely love my job. It involves making sure that children with additional and complex needs are given the help and support they need when they start school.

“I think helping children in this way is one of the most rewarding things anyone can do.”

An active member at St Herbert’s Church in Chadderton, Patricia has helped to raise thousands of pounds for various causes, including the Royal Oldham Hospital and the Marie Curie charity.

Patricia’s neighbours Sarah and Fran Foster, who nominated her, said: “She is very caring and supports neighbours through bereavement and illness.

“She always puts others’ needs before her own and she always has time for people.

“Over the years she has helped a lot of children and families to get vital care and support and nothing is too much trouble for her.

“Her dedication to the church just completes her cycle of support and care.”

Patricia said: “I am overwhelmed to have been nominated and it is really nice of my neighbours to go to the trouble of doing it but I don’t think I do anything out of the ordinary.”