The Hon Amanda (Mandy) Howells: Her work goes on

Mandy Howells: Gave a good account

On his last trip here, American activist Reverend Al Sharpton encouraged pupils at Archbishop Tenison’s school in Vauxhall to “make their life count.”

He explained through a personal story that he didn't realise he was poor until a session at school about poverty made him realise that living in a housing project meant he was among that strata of society.

He told the boys at Archbishop Tenison’s that his social position that didn't stop his aspirations to make something of himself.  His resolve was that the poor circumstances of his family wouldn't hold him back – he was going to be what he wanted to be.

He asked the boys to picture the words of an obituary - birth date - dash - date of death. The ‘dash’ he said “was the time a person had between the dates to make their stamp on life.” A time when they can decide what to be in life and what is said about them after they die. “Make that time count” he roared, at the 500 boys who sat attentively in the school assembly.

He urged them to use their time productively, usefully. “Be somebody” he argued.  “Not Michael Jackson, he’s got his own legacy. Or any other name”, he scolded, “don’t follow others, be yourself, create a life you can be proud of, do it your way”, he continued scouring the room for any boy who’d disagree.

Those sentiments were brought back to me recently at the funeral service of The Hon Amanda (Mandy) Howells, daughter of Baroness Howells of St Davids which took place on Thursday 27th January.

Officiating at the celebration reception after the Catholic service Ken Barnes of c-a-n-i and 100 Black Men - a charity for which Mandy made time – jovially asked the gathering if they wonder who will turn up when they die, and what will be said. He was speaking to a packed room and in the celebratory mood dictated by Mandy – she wanted dancing and cheerfulness from those who came to send her off.

But I imagine quite a few of us do wonder about our send off, will anyone turn up, will there be tributes of love and appreciation, what will be said about the role we played in life?  Were we generous, kind or giving?

Mandy’s tributes spoke of a warm, generous, strong, dignified woman, always willing to give of her time, carrying out charitable acts and selflessly helping others.

A story was told about Mandy’s kindness to a local woman thought to be prejudiced, bitter and unfriendly who she frequently passed en route to see a friend. One Mother’s day Mandy presented the lonely woman with a bunch of flowers and wished her a ‘Happy Mother’s Day’.

Mandy kept quiet about her act but the grateful woman herself, who appreciated the kind thoughts of someone from a different race who she may normally have preferred not to acknowledge, told the story to others. Mandy had brought about a change of heart through her kindness and consideration.

That story of compassion and a stream of others about Mandy’s other fine attributes were related by one person after another.

Tributes were paid in passing to Mandy’s mother Baroness Howells, saying Mandy was truly her mother’s daughter; that the line had passed unbroken from Mother to daughter in reference their dignified and charitable characters.

Reflecting on stories about other families – the fathers and sons who make the headlines for acts of violence and others for whom ill will and bad behaviour is a way of life – what goodness is reported of them?

Referring to the biblical reckoning, the Priest taking Mass said Mandy had gone to give a good account of her life and can rest assured in her works. This was more than backed up by the testament of a large church, full to the brim and overflowing with people standing at least four deep at the back, who came to pay their respects, including MPs Diane Abbott and Keith Vaz, Lord Ouseley, Doreen Lawrence, Beverley de Gale and Orin Lewis and many more who knew Mandy and were cheered and inspired by the memory of person who’s live was full of good deeds and giving.

There comes a day when our account is underlined and no more can be added. It must be good to have lived a life where others can honestly testify that, as Rev Sharpton would put it, you made the time between the dates count, not just for yourself but for others too. 

And as the Rev would probably add, “you’re living the dash now – make it count.”

The Hon Amanda Howells -  29th April 1961 to 11th January 2011.

Winsome-Grace Cornish

Image: The Hon Amanda (Mandy) Howells
 

For donations to carry on Mandy’s work, her chosen causes under the Mandy Howells Memorial Tribute Campaign are:-

(1) 'African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust' – donations may be made online using Mandy Howell's dedicated donations page - 'just giving' or by cheque and posted to: ACLT, Southbridge House, Southbridge Place Croydon Surrey CR0 4HA. For general information about the charity, visit the ACLT website

(2) 'Cancer Research' – donations may be made using Mandy Howells' 'just giging' dedicated donations page for online payments only.

Messages may be left at time of donation.

Notes:

(1) Non-hodgkin's Lymphoma -- The non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are a diverse group of blood cancers that include any kind of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas. Types of NHL vary significantly in their severity, from indolent to very aggressive. Lymphomas are types of cancer derived from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Lymphomas are treated by combinations of chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapy, radiation, and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Mandy Howells received a stem cell transplant provided by a donor through the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.

(2) African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) -- This charity is currently campaigning for its survival. It is the only dedicated charity to raising awareness among ethnic groups which enables potential donors to come forward at the ACLT registration drives to be involved in the process of offering hope and a healthy future to someone whose disorder may otherwise prove fatal. The ACLT has raised the numbers of potential Black/Mixed Race donors from 550 to approx. 33,000 and many lives have been saved in the process. Telephone: 020 8240 4480 / Website: www.aclt.org

 (3) Cancer Research -- Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. Thanks to its groundbreaking work more people are beating cancer than ever before. Visit: http://aboutus.cancerresearchuk.org/ (general information) or http://supportus.cancerresearchuk.org/ (for donations information). In 2010, Mandy Howells was unable to complete the "Race for Life" but managed to raise her full sponsorship amount whilst undergoing hospitalisation. All donations to be made via Mandy Howells' personal link above.

(4) Fundraising queries can be made via the Mandy Howells Memorial Tribute Campaign manager, Saundra Glenn on 07521 308965 or by emailing media@whatwebuilt.com