Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2014 | Page 12

INTERVIEW
had mishaps in the early days and the boat was given the
nick-name ‘Collision Belle’! Nowadays, its reputation has
been redeemed.
“I didn't sail much. I like being in the sea and by it
more than on it. Anyway, somebody had to make up the
sandwiches and send out the flares! During that time we
were living in London but came to the Island whenever we
could. The first year we stayed in a B&B in Cowes before
renting a house in Bembridge. In the 1970s we bought a great
friend's cottage. The Island is a marvellous place; so beautiful
and there are many fascina ting historic places to visit; so
many things to do and interesting families to get to know. I
love the tremendous community life here.”
Sally is now deeply involved with Dementia UK,

'I didn't sail much. I like being in
the sea and by it more than on it.
Anyway, somebody had to make
up the sandwiches and send out
the flares!'

spearheading the Admiral Nurse Appeal for the Island. She
said: “Two years ago I broke my leg and ankle when I fell off
my electric bike coming home from a party. I hit a pothole
in the road! After spending several sleepless nights in the
fracture ward awaiting surgery, I was fortunate to be allocated
an NHS bed for my re-habilitation at the marvellous private
SCIO nursing home, 'Highfields' in Ryde.
“Living among the elderly, vulnerable people was a
humbling experience. I got to know many of the dedicated
carers and those suffering from dementia who were so
dependent on their help. Admiral Nurses support and help
'memory loss' sufferers and their carers in the community
just as Macmillan Nurses look after cancer sufferers.
“I needed to know more and discovered there were no
Admiral Nurses on the Island, and only around 102 in
the whole country. I felt called to do something positive
to create awareness for their need on the Island. I have
had a wonderful response. St Mary’s Hospital and the Earl
Mountbatten Hospice have agreed to 'host' an Admiral Nurse
and, together with Dementia UK, will soon appoint and train
one or two of these specialist Nurses. Hopefully, other 'hosts'
will be found and the Island will one day have a fleet serving
every local community.”
Sally is passionate to help save Churches from redundancy.
She said: “Small country churches are especially at risk. Once
they have been de-consecrated, they are gone.”
She added: “I don't really have any unfulfilled ambitions. I
count my many blessings and I live life to the full having fun.
You could say ‘I am just a girl who can’t say no’!”

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