Daphne Wright receives the Maundy Money
Our warmest congratulations to Daphne Wright who is one of this year’s recipients of the Queen’s Maundy Money.
Daphne was unable to travel to St George’s Chapel, Windsor, for the special service on Thursday and so Bishop David presented her with the coins at her home in Holywood today. Daphne said that she was “surprised and humbled” to be honoured in this way.
The bishop nominated Daphne, a former civil servant, for her lifetime of service to community organisations at home and abroad. In recommending her as a recipient, he said:
“Daphne has served on a variety of community organisations over many decades and is also supported by her husband Gordon, who also is very involved in community initiatives.
“Daphne has the ability to identify need and to connect those places of need with those who help meet that need. For some years she has served in a variety of different charities including The DOCK, in the Titanic Quarter of East Belfast. This charity was set up to meet the needs of the people in that area of East Belfast where the Harland and Wolf Ship building industry had once been strong.
“Unfortunately, Daphne suffered a severe stroke a couple of years ago but continues from her home and in whatever way she can to encourage those who are involved in community outreach on the ground.
“As someone with a deep Christian faith, Daphne prays a lot for those who serve and those who work in needy areas. She also spends time making telephone calls to offer words of encouragement to those who are diligently serving the need of the most broken and who are in need of a listening ear.”
Daphne Wright
Daphne is a parishioner of St Philip and St James’ Holywood and has been a Christian all of her life. For over 20 years her administration skills have been used to good effect as trustee and treasurer within two charitable trusts, chiefly Friends of Asha (Delhi), when she served as Asha Coordinator for all of Ireland, a post from which she has just recently retired due to ill–health.
In 2010 Daphne was part of the foundational team at The Dock in the Titanic Quarter and for many years has been an active supporter of Tearfund. From 2001 until recently she was Treasurer for the local Holywood Tearfund and also held the post of Treasurer for Holywood Music Festival. She has always been active in her local church, particularly in music and children’s ministry.
Also honoured this year, Mr Jim Johnston.
Maundy Money
Each recipient of Maundy money is given two small leather purses by The Queen, one red and one white.
The first contains a small amount of ordinary coinage which symbolises the Sovereign’s gift for food and clothing. The second purse contains Maundy coins up to the value of the Sovereign’s age. The coins are legal tender, but recipients normally prefer to retain them as a keepsake.