Why Rachel is Derby through and through

In the latest edition of Marketing Derby’s Innovate Magazine we meet Rachel Morris DL, who has devoted much of her career to improve the fortunes of Derby – and those living in it.

As Chapter Steward, she was responsible for the city’s cathedral. With the YMCA, she worked to provide homes for young people.

And in her current ‘day job’ with SV2, she leads a team supporting victims of sexual violence.

In a voluntary capacity, she’s a board member with Derby County Community Trust, a director of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, and, as founder of Friends of Derby 500 Club, has raised thousands of pounds to deliver swift assistance to those in desperate need.

Innovate met up with Rachel to discover what drives this devotion to community.

According to Rachel, she is simply doing what she loves.

She told Innovate:  “I like people, and I like helping people if I can. And if I feel that I can add some value, then I get a lot back from it too.”

Recently, Rachel added another entry on her CV – Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire – an appointment which came out of the blue but one which she was deeply honoured to accept.

She said: “Agreeing was a no-brainer because it’s representing and promoting the area, but it’s not something I ever thought that Rachel from Allenton would be asked to do.

“I grew up being able to hear the sounds of engines being tested at Rolls-Royce.

“I was born and lived in Allenton and, although it was quite a deprived area, I had a very blessed childhood, and we didn’t want for anything.

“My grandparents set up a cycle shop and my gran was president of Allenton Traders’ Association.

“My dad was well known and liked because he and his brother ran the shop, Kings Cycles, and he would let young customers come in and buy a bike and pay it off at £1 a week. He wouldn’t charge any interest and would tick off the payments in his book.

“I went to Noel Baker School and some really special people came out of that school. I used to sit next to a guy who ended up winning an Oscar for the special effects in the first Matrix film!

“And I loved sport and represented the county in swimming, athletics and cross-country – and so my pride in the area runs very deep.

“I just love the place. Derby people are friendly. We talk to each other, there’s a humbleness about Derby folk that’s very attractive and there are lots of reasons to be proud – Rolls-Royce, the railways, the cathedral, the cricket and football clubs.”

To read the feature in full, visit https://heyzine.com/flip-book/0fb028e91f.html.