SUE Akester, from West Stafford, celebrated her retirement as vice chairman of the Disabilities Trust after an 18-year career as a Trustee.

Sue’s interest within the Trust has been in working with young people with autism, and during her work she has been the chair of governors for Heathermount School in Ascot, which educates children and young people with autistic spectrum conditions.

She said: “It has been very heart-warming to see some students who entered Heathermount at a young age, with a number of difficulties, and leave post 19, being offered Level 2 Work Based Learning Apprenticeships in Hospitality and Catering, Horticulture and Business Administration.” Family and colleagues attended her leaving party in London, which was held after the organisation’s annual general meeting on September 29. She said: “It has been an inspiration and a privilege to work with such a dedicated group of people.

“I wish to extend an enormous vote of thanks to them for all their hard work.”