Jackie Williamson

(Secretary of Social Events Sub Group)

I was born in Ipswich Hospital because the local hospital in Sudbury could not cope with the birth of twins and I have been a local girl ever since. My maiden name was Jackson and I attended all the local schools of the time, even the high school for girls before moving to Sudbury Upper in 1972.

I joined the Hadleigh branch of Barclays Bank in 1974 & transferred to Sudbury branch in 1976. In 1980 I met a very nice handsome man, who had the most beautiful smile, over the bank counter. We married in 1981 and his name is Alan. We have two children – Marc, who is 24 & lives with his beautiful wife Suz in Glasgow, and Laura, who is 21 and is at university in Lancaster.

I joined Upbeat in February of 2007 having been taken ill just before Christmas of 2006. I was diagnosed as having dilated cardiomyopathy, which was a huge blow because three of my family had already been treated for the same heart complaint. Upbeat was a place I could go & talk to people who also had problems. I found that in time I could exercise in a safe environment. I could enjoy going to the theatre & other social events & my confidence grew. I really want to give something back for all the help & even love I have received. I pray that I will be able to assist in making other members experience of Upbeat as positive as mine.