Moray woman Mary Nelson awarded BEM for services to area's homeless people
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A MORAY woman has been awarded a BEM in the New Year honours list for services to homeless people across the area.
Mary Nelson (77), who lives in Forres, was chairwoman of Moray Fresh Start for a number of years, where she donated an immense amount of her time to helping the area's homeless get back on their feet.
Born in southern England, Mrs Nelson was a nurse for 42 years – spending most of her career south of the border. However, she moved to Braemar, Elgin and then, 15 years ago, Forres.
In 2010, she started volunteering with Moray Fresh Start, before becoming the charity's chairwoman.
She has helped thousands of people in her role, but never expected anything back for what she gave.
"The work I did was enjoyable, fulfilling and very necessary," she said. "But I never expected anything at all for doing it.
"I was at a loss for words when I heard about the BEM. I got an email through, which came from the cabinet office. I thought it was a scam but I opened it because it looked official. I was just amazed.
"This award is for every member of the team, for volunteers, past and present, who have worked so hard and enthusiastically to keep Moray Fresh Start going."
Mrs Nelson was in her late 60s, and retired, when she started work with Moray Fresh Start – but homelessness is an issue she has been faced with since she was a teenager.
She added: "Homelessness is something I've always been aware of because of my background as a nurse.
"Even as a student we would get people coming in off the street that were homeless and in a poor condition, so it had always been there in my mind.
"When my husband and I came to live up here I was involved with the local church and through that I became aware of Moray Fresh Start, which was doing so much to help people get back on their feet, and got involved.
"As chairwoman of the charity I was working many hours. It involved a lot of paperwork, getting people to donate money and going out and talking to various groups and organisations to make them aware of what we were doing.
"But I didn't mind that because it was all enjoyable and fulfilling."
Due to the ill health of her husband, Mrs Nelson stepped away from her role as chairwoman recently but remains heavily involved with the group.
Moray Fresh Start was formed in 2008 and is based at the old railway station in Elgin.
The charity, which is run entirely by volunteers and relies on fundraising and donations, assists homeless people in taking their first steps into accommodation.
It provides people with a simple but vital starter pack, which contains sheets, towels, plates, cutlery and other essentials which can make a huge difference to those who have little or no money.
Working with agencies like Moray Council and Moray Women's Aid, the charity delivers around 150 of these starter packs – worth around £200 – across Moray each year, with the number rapidly rising.
For more information on Moray Fresh Start, or to donate, visit their website at www.morayfreshstart.org.uk.
