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COWC Tribute to rachael rodway

COWC trustees, staff and volunteers are deeply saddened to learn of the recent death of Rachael Rodway.
Rachael joined COWC as chairperson of the charity’s board of trustees in 2010, a role she held for 7 years. During that time she inspired many staff, volunteers and fellow trustees with her leadership skills, her wit and wisdom, great sense of humour but most of all her innate sense of justice and fairness. She encouraged COWC’s work in the fields of global food security, climate change, the refugee crisis and was a great supporter of the Fairtrade movement. She volunteered each week in the Carlisle World Shop and played a key role, using her experience of the legal and business sectors, in its becoming a co-operative.
In 2012, as a response to cutbacks in benefits and other austerity measures, Rachael was part of the team that set up Carlisle Foodbank which she continued to chair until recently.
Lorna Strong, former secretary of COWC and manager of Carlisle World Shop has paid tribute to Rachael as follows:
“I have a clear recollection of standing in the shop (The Carlisle World Shop always seemed to be a good place for networking!) asking Rachael if she would chair COWC and somewhat reluctantly she agreed to help us out. And how efficient she was! With Rachael, meetings never dragged on. I remember her lovely clear handwriting with a real fountain pen. I also remember what an asset she was when it came to hosting dignitaries at our events. We relied on her to host various mayors and other dignitaries we were proud to invite to various events particularly for Carlisle Fairtrade and some of these were big events.
As a shop volunteer she would read her Guardian first thing in the morning when the shop was quiet and we would have interesting conversations as she kept herself well informed. I enjoyed her company and her lively mind and her wit. She brought in her many friends and acquaintances to swell the numbers of our customers. I appreciated her generosity (She enjoyed lending me a glamorous outfit including shoes for an event!) and gave gardening work to young folk needing a bit of a financial boost. I remember her involvement in the preparatory work that would lead to the formation of the Carlisle Food Bank, such a sadly necessary achievement. She had the vision to know it was needed in the early days of food banks and the commitment to carry it through. She was principled and clear thinking. And of course her legal skills were an asset. She dealt with the legal side of the World Shop becoming a cooperative thus securing its sustainable future.
She leaves a Rachael sized gap in many of our lives and has left us too soon.”
Rest in peace dear Rachael! We will miss you very much.

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