Kay receives award for helping kids (From Penarth Times)

Kay receives award for helping kids

MOTHER-of-four and optometrist Kay Hailes, who has practices in Penarth, Dinas Powys and Cardiff, was the thoroughly deserving recipient of this year's Women in the Community Award.

The award is presented annually by members of Soroptimist International Barry and District in recognition of the unsung heroines in our midst.

Kay received the award for the dedication and commitment she has shown in setting up the 5Cs (Chernobyl Children Cancer Care Cardiff) charity.

The charity was registered in 1999, although Kay had been involved with a similar charity for a number of years.

The charity brings children from Belarus to Wales for holidays every year - it is estimated that the clean air and uncontaminated food extends their life expectancy by two years.

And Kay has also helped establish a Children's Hospice in Belarus as well as a holiday Dacha for the children suffering from the terrible effect of the nuclear explosion 19 years ago this April.

She works closely with the Convoy of Hope and obtained her HGV Licence to drive supply trucks - it is the first time the Club has made this award to a lorry driver.

Club member and fellow optometrist Vivian Liles handed Kay her Award, and President Irene also gave Kay a cheque for 100, which Kay has already earmarked for the airfare to bring a young girl over to Wales to undergo an operation to save her sight.