Launceston Rotary Club gave out one of their most prestigious awards on Saturday, January 26 to June Down, who is stepping down as the Launceston Club’s shop manager.

Launceston Rotary Club vice president Lawson Ham presented her with the Paul Harris award, to thank her for her dedication to the shop and the club.

Mr Ham said that the award given to June is not given lightly and said she thoroughly deserved it, for giving 110% of her time and effort.

He said: “This award is given to a rotary member that has gone that extra mile and June really helped to put the shop on the map.

“On behalf of Launceston Rotary, we would like to thank June for her services.”

June has been at the helm for several years and unfortunately had to step down due to health reasons.

She said: “I worked there as a volunteer, managing the shop for about six years, unfortunately I’ve had to give up for health reasons, which I am very upset about.”

June suffered from a stroke just before Christmas and was advised by her doctor to retire.

Although saddened that she has had to step down, June was thankful for the amazing response that she has had from the club and will cherish the fond memories she has.

June explained: “I got given the award for going over and above — which is what people keep telling me!”

Apparently June had no idea that she was going to be presented the award, at the presentation thrown in her honour. She said: “I was surprised on Saturday when I came in to handover to the new manager and was then greeted by volunteers and members to congratulate me. It was an absolute surprise!

“It was lovely, I got lots of flowers and cards. You wouldn’t believe, my living room floor is like a florists because it’s covered with so many flowers at the moment!”

The Launceston Rotary Club only tend to give the Paul Harris award to one person each year and June said: “I feel really honoured to receive the award, as an honorary member I know not many people get it.”

Before June began running the shop, it was understaffed and far from the success it is today.

She said: “When I took over the shop didn’t really have enough volunteers and many people that had previously been there had all left.

“When I took over, I had a lot of them messaging me to ask if they could return. We then had about 17 volunteers in the shop.

“Some contributed by working one or two days a week and I always worked three or four.”

June committed a lot of her time to the Rotary shop, ensuring it remained a prevalent part of the local community, especially when they had to move premises.

“Our old place used to be what is now Rocks Locks, when we were told we had to move from there I more or less single handedly moved to the delicatessens down in the town, for a period of 12 months.

“Then we got into where the bike shop used to be and myself and several other volunteers got that up and running, pretty much from scratch!”

June was proud of her and the Rotary club’s achievements in continuously raising such an impressive amount of money.

She said: “We’ve raised so much money. In the first shop I remember we had a celebration after raising £100,000 to give to charitable causes.

“I think the Rotary now make around £33,000 a year!”

June explained that a lot of the credit had to be given to the volunteers working beside her in the shop.

She said: “It gives a real sense of community, having no paid workers. It means that the shop has really low running costs as all we have to pay is rent and a few bills, meaning we can give so much more to charity.

“As I’ve said I’m very upset about having to give up due to health reasons. I have always put the shop first and I loved doing it!”

June has always been drawn to helping others, which is what inspired her to carry out such charitable work, for so many years.

She said: “I’ve knitted for the shop, taken dirt covered dolls, washed and dressed them. I just loved it! I loved seeing all the people, the customers and knowing most of them all personally.

“I just love working with people, I remember many years ago volunteering down at St Mary’s hospital with the elderly.

“I’ve just always enjoyed being active and putting back into the community.

“I know there are lots of great organisations that raise money for charitable causes but for me, nothings better than the Rotary giving back to the local community.

“I will really miss it, in fact I will miss it so much! But I have to concentrate on my health unfortunately.”

Despite being such an integral part of the shop and its success, June has complete faith in its future. She said: “The shop will be alright without me, several of the volunteers have been there for some time now and will be able to do a great job.

“I feel humbled and honoured by the response I’ve had. The Rotary shop became very special to me and I will miss not being involved but I wish it continued success for the future.”