Hundreds of people packed out Chester Cathedral to celebrate a well-respected charity which has just completed its 40th year.

Chester-based Save the Family held the thanksgiving service on Thursday, January 7.

The charity was founded by husband and wife George and Edna Speed in 1976 to support vulnerable families who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes.

Since then it has provided residential accommodation and support for thousands, encouraging them to increase their independence and grow in confidence to be able to integrate successfully back into the community.

Save the Family co-founder Edna Speed
Save the Family co-founder Edna Speed

Edna said: “I think it is a miracle that Save the Family has travelled on for 40 years in spite of great difficulties and the rocky road that we have walked.

“We have had the privilege of supporting thousands of families and giving children the chance of a normal childhood with their natural parents.

“There is a sense of achievement.

“We have encountered opposition, we have been misread but nevertheless once you have seen these children and these parents, you cannot fail to love them so nothing deters you from helping.

“If as a charity we had not found a way forward, we would have failed these families.”

Secretary of state Iain Duncan Smith was guest speaker
Secretary of state Iain Duncan Smith was guest speaker

Among the 600 people who attended were guest speaker Iain Duncan Smith, Bishop of Chester Peter Forster and Lord Mayor of Chester Hugo Deynem.

Save the Family chief executive John Church described the event as a ‘watershed moment for the charity that was so well supported by the leadership of Chester Cathedral’.

Mr Church confirmed he is standing down as CEO at the end of January and will be replaced by Simon Groom.

Edna added that the special ticket-only service – which featured three videos depicting the charity’s past, present and future – was a reunion as well as an opportunity to give thanks to all the ‘wonderful’ people who have travelled the road with them.

Opportunity to honour co-founder George Speed

She added it also honoured George, who sadly passed away in 2012.

“Without his clever strategies and hand to the plough it would never have been founded,” Edna said.

“The charity owes so much to him. Right up until the end of his life, he was still so involved. He never hung up his climbing boots for the charity.”