Thatcham's Kennet Vale Rainbows commemorate lost leader five years on

The Girlguiding Rainbows at Kennet Vale, in Thatcham, have commemorated their lost leader, Anne Eldred, in an award presentation.

The annual presentation is awarded in the memory of Mrs Eldred, who was lost to cancer while still in her post as Rainbow leader.

The award was launched soon after Mrs Eldred’s passing and is now in its fifth year.

A certificate and shield was awarded by Tracey Gillingham who said: "It is always very difficult to choose who wins because all Rainbows are very special little girls.”

It is presented in every November to the Rainbow in the district who has demonstrated some of the wonderful qualities that Mrs Eldred, also known as Dodo, had.

This year, the certificate went to six-year-old Isabelle Stepp, who joined in April 2020, along with a shield that will stay with her for a year.

Unit Leader Ann Dibble said: “She was pleased as punch.

“The other Rainbows said congratulations, they were just as pleased with Isabelle as she was with herself.

“We had a good turnout of leaders. Tracey spoke about the award, and what it was for.”

Isabelle told her mother the next morning that “yesterday was the best day of my life”.

This summer she decided to raise funds for “poorly children” by skipping 100 skips every day through August for which she was sponsored.

All money raised from this went to Starlight.