We are saddened to inform our members of the passing of former chair, social worker and newsletter editor Audrey Allen. Audrey was chair of CHECT when it was known as The Retinoblastoma Society some thirty years ago. She also worked as a social worker at GOSH before becoming a senior social worker at Barts.
In an article in the 25th Anniversary edition of InFocus, the author reflected, “Social workers Margaret Atkin and Jackie Martin (nee Howe), along with play specialist Mary Digby – a pioneer of childcare in hospitals – and Audrey Allen, social worker at Barts, were all on board by the early nineties, helping steer the society toward a more stable footing and provide full support for children and parents on the ward. Audrey later went on to edit the newsletter for many years and became chair of the Rb Society management board.”
Mary Digby also reflected in the same InFocus issue, that, after her retirement, “Audrey Allen, Sarah Hollyer and I would go in together and we would do the newsletters, stuff the envelopes and reminisce about the old days.”
Patrick, CEO of CHECT, says, “We are extremely sad to learn of Audrey’s passing. We wish to extend our deepest condolences to Audrey’s family, friends and colleagues, and also remember her for her wonderful contribution to our charity, which has helped it become what it is today”.