We are delighted to congratulate alumna, former parent and School Governor Sue Mumford, who has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list in recognition of her outstanding services to palliative care in Ethiopia. Sue is the Chair of Hospice Ethiopia UK, a charity dedicated to relieving the suffering of the terminally ill in Ethiopia. Since 2021, Sue has also served as a valued member of the Norwich High School for Girls Governing Board and is the governor representative to our parent association, the NHSA. .

We spoke to Sue about her remarkable achievement and her long-standing connection with Norwich High School for Girls.

I was astonished; it came as a huge surprise. We have a really good team of trustees and volunteers, which is why the charity has been so successful. Keeping the award quiet for four weeks until the public announcement was made was very hard.

I’ve been interested in the provision of palliative care in resource-poor countries for many years. Early in 2012, a group of healthcare professionals at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, where I was working, got together to support palliative care in Ethiopia. My first visit to Hospice Ethiopia was in October 2012 and I’ve visited Ethiopia every year since, except in 2021 due to Covid restrictions. I became Chair in 2016 and we achieved registered charity status in 2017.

As a former specialist palliative care nurse, visiting patients in Ethiopia alongside a nurse from Hospice Ethiopia is what I really enjoy. The personal contact with patients who benefit from the funds we raise in the UK is incredibly rewarding. I visit Hospice Ethiopia twice a year so that our Board of Trustees can better understand the challenges faced by the Hospice. As trustees, we don’t use charity funds to cover our visits, ensuring that every penny donated goes to where it’s most needed.

We also provide detailed feedback to our donors about how their money is spent and the tangible benefits achieved. It’s fulfilling to see the difference our support makes to some of the most vulnerable people in Ethiopia. Additionally, meeting incredibly dedicated doctors and nurses in Africa, who provide compassionate care in challenging circumstances, is truly inspiring.

I’ve enjoyed the continuity of being connected with the school for several decades – I was a student when the 100th anniversary was celebrated! While much has changed, some things remain very similar.

It’s stimulating to see the opportunities available to the girls today and how education has evolved since my time as a student 50 years ago, and when my daughters were here 20 years ago. My daughters and I have all benefited greatly from Norwich High School, and it’s wonderful to see today’s students thriving.

My time at Norwich High taught me essential life skills and gave me the confidence to pursue whatever path I chose. I’m still close friends with one of my classmates. Norwich High has always provided an environment where girls can pursue their interests and work towards their future goals.

I studied English, Biology and Geography at A Level. Biology directly links to my nursing career, as I’ve always been fascinated by how the body works and how nurses can use this knowledge to care for patients. Geography sparked my interest in travel, which I’ve been fortunate to enjoy over many years.

I’m passionate about girls receiving the best possible education. Our three daughters attended Norwich High School for Girls and have all gone on to have fulfilling careers. The diverse education, alongside the care taken to support each student’s individual learning style and abilities, is outstanding. Norwich High gave my daughters a broad range of skills and confidence through extracurricular activities, such as music and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. These experiences equipped them to reach their full potential.

Find out more about Hospice Ethiopia UK at www.hospiceethiopia.org.uk.