Champion of charity in Lancaster and Morecambe retires after 34 years of service

Monday, 9 September 2024 14:32

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

June Ashworth with Alan Hatton-Yeo, chair of the Citizens Advice North Lancashire trustees

A dedicated servant of a charity with offices in Lancaster and Morecambe is stepping down after 34 years.

June Ashworth retired from the board of trustees of Citizens Advice North Lancashire last week.

Mrs Ashworth is also a former mayor, and Lancaster city and Morecambe town councillor.

She said it had been a "long and very pleasurable journey" serving the charity, which provides independent, confidential and impartial support and advice to anyone who needs it.

"Sadly, Citizens Advice is needed more than ever," she said.

"It's been a long and very pleasurable journey to be a part of this amazing charity. I will never forget the volunteers who give up their time to help others, and I'll miss it.

"It's been a part of my life for 34 years."

Alan Hatton-Yeo, chair of trustees, said: "June's service to our charity has been outstanding and we are so grateful to her for all the years she has spent supporting the work of Citizens Advice North Lancashire. She is truly a community champion."

Joanna Young, CEO, said: "Thank you June, for all your service to Citizens Advice North Lancashire, since 1991. Our trustees are volunteers too, and we are so grateful for all the support and guidance June has contributed, so that we are still going strong after all these years, providing advice and support to those in the community who need it."

Mrs Ashworth was instrumental in the journey to allowing Citizens Advice to purchase its Morecambe office which is now a bustling advice hub.

During her political career as a Morecambe Bay Independent, she served on Lancaster City Council's Cabinet and chaired many committees. She was also mayor of Lancaster in 2013/14 and is also a long-standing school governor.