High Sheriff Award for Kay

Oxfordshire, 10th March 2025

Kay O'Regan, accompanied by her husband Pat, attended the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Awards Ceremony on Monday 10th March. Kay was nominated for an award by Yvonne Pinner, OHM Project Director, for all her work with people experiencing homelessness and in need across the County.

Kay is a member of the OHM Volunteer Hub which is a wonderful group who work tirelessly year-round to help people in need. Yvonne said of this nomination: "Kay deserves this award for all her work with people experiencing homelessness and in need across the County. She is a key member of the OHM Volunteer Hub and without whom we simply couldn’t achieve what we do. Kay is so very generous with her time. She just very quietly gets on with helping people and never asks for recognition – although she absolutely deserves it."

As part of being the Upcycled Bag lady, Kay hand sews, “putting waste to work”, the vast majority of the 200+ Christmas Gift bags for OHM partners for their guests and is also responsible for collating all the items needed to fill the bags and delivering these lovely gifts to venues across Oxfordshire.

Year-round, Kay is one of the main drop off points for items that have been specifically requested by OHM partners for their guests, she then collects from other drop off points and delivers food and requested items to partners across the County.

Kay is also key in fulfilling the huge asks OHM receive for “home packs” that are provided to people moving on from partner organisations – ensuring that they have everything they need to make that house comfortable and useable – helping to turn that house into a home.

Finally, as part of the Upcycled Bag Lady project, Kay makes and sells items, the profits from which are donated to charity. For OHM this year, her donation will be in the region of £1,000 plus Gift Aid.

It was a wonderful celebration and on collecting her award from Mr James Macnamara, Kay said: "I want everyone to know that I am accepting this award on behalf of everyone who supports us, it really is a team effort."

Huge congratulations go to Kay for the huge part she plays in helping people across our County - such a well deserved accolade.

See

Donate items to people experiencing homelessness
More about Helping Oxfordshire Homeless Collaboration (HOHC)