The Rae family has attended Fulwood Methodist Church for over 30 years and are known to many. This pen profile is aimed at introducing them to newer members of the church family.

The most recent important event in the family was the wedding of their daughter Martha to Rick Gallacher last Christmas.

Martha is a Primary School Teacher and her chosen profession was influenced by her involvement in Junior Church as a teenager. Martha still occasionally helps out and supervises her mother when she has to lend a hand!

Rick works in Project management at BAE. He was born in South Africa and lived there in his early years. He is a keen drummer and leads a band.

Malcolm and Joyce met in 1969 at Preston Royal Infirmary during the early period of their nursing careers. As a fledgling student nurse, Joyce particularly valued the support she was given by Moira Black who was then a Staff Nurse. This evolved into the close friendship which exists today between the two families.

In 2002 Malcolm retired from his position as the Nurse Advisor for Mental Health at the Department of Health. His current work includes being an Independent member of the Parole Board, an Ambassador for the University of Central Lancashire along with continuing with Service development work in the NHS.

He has undertaken the Hospital Football commentary from Deepdale for over 30years.

Joyce retired in 2003 from her position as the Clinical Manager for Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sharoe Green Hospital (when she left they pulled the place down!) She was for many years a Community Midwife in Fulwood, Longridge and Garstang.

Joyce is a former Church Steward and a Pastoral visitor. She also helps to run the Mother and Toddler group, volunteers on the hospital Information desk as well as occasionally helping Martha out in school and acting as Malcolm’s unpaid PA!

Cath (Grandma) is a former chorister at St Michaels Church in Ashton and until her recent ill health was a regular participant in the Women’s Fellowship at Fulwood. Cath has a notable reputation for being a very good cook and a fund raiser supreme! She is a former Chair of the Preston Historical Society and says she is now part of history!

The Rae family along with Ray and Edna Armstrong, Ken Wales and Joe Poxon are passionate about Rugby League, supporting Wigan.

They also follow Lancashire and England cricket teams home and away. Sadly Malcolm’s football and cricketing days are now over and he has to settle for being a spectator!

The Rae’s involvement within the fellowship of the church has brought them many pleasures, particularly the friendships they have formed and the social activities which have considerably enhanced their family life.