Cash coming in for Helen’s memorial

Meanwhile, Helen’s Dromore home, business and base of operations at Princes Street has gone on the market.

The pending sale of the Wellington House underlines for at least one of Helen’s friends the end of an era signalled by her recent death.

It is that friend, former councillor Norah Beare, who is spearheading efforts to establish a permanent memorial to Helen.

Mrs. Beare revealed she had gratefully received two cheques towards the memorial fund.

“I was delighted,” she said, “to be presented with two cheques, each for £50, towards erecting a seat in Helen’s memory.

“The cheques came from the Dromore Northern Ireland Supporters’ Club and from Dromore Ladies’ Netball Club.

“I trust that these donations will start the ball rolling and that people will show their gratitude to Helen for all the work she did in a more positive way by contributing, no matter how small the amount, towards the seat.”

Norah describes Helen, who died in December, as “a remarkable lady” and “the driving force” of community events in Dromore.

She again encouraged people to contact her in respect of the proposed memorial bench.

“People were always praising the work that Helen did,” she said. “She raised £100,000 for the doctors’ surgery; she never stopped raising money or helping people.

“It would be nice to have a bench in the community garden in memory of Helen but if we cannot raise enough money we will earmark a bench in the town.

“I would really like people to get behind me on this. Helen was a one-off and she deserves something; there will never be another Helen.

“She did so much for so many people and many times it was never even publicised.

“It is up to us to do something for her.”