Doncaster Deaf Trust stalwart retires after 42 years

Bobbie Roberts, MBE, Freeman of Doncaster Town, former Chair of the Doncaster Magistrates bench and recipient of Doncaster Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2015, will step down from her role as Chair of Trustees at the end of July.

Her tireless work and campaigning for the rights of deaf children and young people has seen her briefing government departments, welcoming royal visitors and working across a number of European Countries.

Alexis Johnson, executive principal of Doncaster Deaf Trust said: “I can honestly say I’ve never met a Chair of Trustees like Bobbie. She is in the Trust every day providing her support and she never stops. The time, drive and passion that she has given to Doncaster Deaf Trust over the past 42 years has made a huge difference to so many families and employees.

“Her name is synonymous with the Trust. She has dedicated such a large part of her life to this organisation and we’re eternally grateful for all that she has done. She has opened so many doors across the region and made sure that people in the right places know about Doncaster Deaf Trust and the work that we do.

“Bobbie will be hugely missed.

“Thank you doesn’t even begin to cover what we want to say to Bobbie. She has played a huge role in shaping Doncaster Deaf Trust and her efforts and achievements will continue to help and support us as we look to the future of the organisation.”

Bobbie said: “It has been a massive honour to work with Doncaster Deaf Trust and see the organisation change and grow over the past forty-two years.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with so many wonderful people - when someone joined our organisation many years ago and didn’t have child care, we created a nursery, which is now a thriving part of the Trust caring for up to 90 young children.

“There are so many things to be proud of and so many people who’ve had a huge impact on my life but at 82 years old I thought I’d up the pace a little and take some time to travel.”