Thanks, Mum, for your help and tasty cooking

IT'S unusual — but understandable — when somebody nominates their mother for one of the Echo's bouquets.

However, when the proposer is the boss of a charity and the nominee has given as much public service as Margaret Bird has, then it suddenly seems like a very good idea indeed.

Margaret — known as Min to all and sundry — has been working as a volunteer cook for Headway Devon, based in Prospect Park, Exeter, for 12 years.

Her daughter Anne Mattock is chief executive of the charity, which provides essential services for children and adults with brain injuries.

"Mum has just decided to retire," said Anne, 39.

"She retired to Devon 12 years ago but we've kept her really busy.

"She cooks here for us two days a week for up to 30 clients on Mondays and Wednesdays and she has also cooked for us in Tiverton and Crediton.

"She has also done food for meetings, she does full Christmas dinners, and she's the first to volunteer for every fundraising event."

Headway is not the only recipient of Min's generosity.

"Mum does all this stuff for Headway, but she also does loads of stuff in Silverton, where she lives," said Anne."She has always taught us that, if you can help, you should. It's all her fault I'm here!"

Her 77-year-old mother grinned at this, nodding.

"I'm just sorry that age and health have forced me to stop," she said.

"I've always been involved in the voluntary sector — Scouts, WI, you name it, I've done it. When I lived in Cambridgeshire, I was in child care and I was what used to be called a home help.

"I shall miss them all here, though I shall still be doing Christmas lunches — I've got to do something."

The clients at Headway were unanimous in their praise of the departing cook. "We'll miss her — she is a very good cook," said Keith Foote. "We'll miss her telling Sue off!"

Across the table Sue Wright, 42, pretended not to notice. "It won't be the same without Min," she said.

"She has helped me in so many ways with my sewing."

And Marilyn Dingle-Shevlin summed up everybody's feelings: "There's nobody quite like Min. She's a mum to everyone!"

To find out more about Headway Devon, call 01392 211822 or see the website at www.headwaydevon.org.uk.