News Item
18/12/2009 - PM honours work of city businesswoman
A CARING businesswoman has been honoured by Gordon Brown for her work with homeless people.
Anne Ganley was one of a select group of people from around the UK invited to the Community Heroes event at 10 Downing Street.
MPs from across the country invited guests from their constituencies who they felt should meet the Prime Minister, as a thank you for their support of the homeless over the festive season.
As well as being managing director of Thompson Building Centres, Ms Ganley has been heavily involved with community work, including providing Christmas gifts to Salvation Army hostels across the region for the past 25 years
This generosity has also extended to hospices, residential homes and hospitals on Wearside, Tyneside and in County Durham.
She was invited to attend the event by Julie Elliott, who will be standing as parliamentary candidate for Sunderland Central at the next General Election, and Wearside MP Chris Mullin.
"I had been told a great deal about Anne and the work she had done for the Salvation Army over the years and in supporting the local community generally and she seemed the perfect person to invite along," said Julie.
Anne has also got firmly behind the Brothers In Arms campaign, which is aiming to raise £60,000 to build a new memorial to fallen soldiers of Wearside
As well as helping organise a range of fund-raising activities, Thompson's has provided the group with free office space and use of all of its facilities.
"It was an amazingly unique experience to meet the Prime Minister, who was extremely complimentary about the whole of the North East and who also took the time to talk about my business," said Anne.
"But I also had the privilege of talking to Peter Mandelson about the economy and about his speeches about banks and small businesses, which I've followed very closely.
He seemed very gratified at what I had to say and it was a fascinating opportunity to have that discussion with him."
Anne said she was "flattered and humbled" to be part of the group invited to Downing Street.
"There were people from all walks of life," she said.
"From those who worked for the emergency services to those who had helped out in the recent terrible floods in Cumbria.
"It was the opportunity of a lifetime and I'm extremely thrilled and honoured to be asked to attend."
