Children’s charity TwentyTwenty has paid tribute to its chief executive Aimi McCaffery, who has died after being knocked down by a car while on her regular morning run at the weekend.
Police are investigating the incident that happened on Sunday 15 May.
The charity says that it has “lost a much-loved, inspirational and dedicated leader”, who had been its chief executive for the last two years.
Its chair Jonathan Kerry added: “Words cannot adequately express our shock at this news. Aimi was a wonderful person, a joy to know and work with.
“She has been the driving force behind the growth of Love4Life in the past two years and was full of ideas for the future.
“She has built a wonderful and gifted team and helped to stabilise our finances. Aimi was eager to learn and establish new networks, all so that we could do more to support the young people in our local communities.”
McCaffery’s role will be temporarily covered by the charity’s Love4Life programme manager Bethan Stanyon.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our CEO, Aimi McCaffery, following a road traffic incident. Our hearts go out to her family and close friends. We have lost a much-loved, inspirational and dedicated leader. https://t.co/l9RWLQTd9Y pic.twitter.com/5DYpjOqmUe
— TwentyTwenty (@Twenty_TwentyUK) May 17, 2022
A joint statement from her colleagues said: “Aimi was an outstanding leader, manager, but also friend.
“She inspired us, cared for us, made us laugh, and nothing was ever too much trouble for her. Her deep passion for providing support for the young people in our communities was inspirational and will be her legacy.
“She genuinely cared for all her employees and was our biggest cheerleader. We will never be able to replace the hole she has left in so many people’s lives, but we will carry her enthusiasm, dedication, values and care with us in her memory.
“Our thoughts are with her family at this dreadful time.”
Among others in the sector pay tribute is CharityLink director Susan McEniff, who had mentored McCaffery and described her as a “dedicated, passionate and kind individual”.
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