By Elina Kobzar
Copyright dailyrecord
The queen of Ayr’s Asda supermarket is retiring after working at the store for more than 34 years. Karen Fulton has helped dozens of schools, charities, clubs and good causes in her role of Community Champion. The likes of Care and Share, Lochside Neighbourhood Group, the Spotty Zebras and Lochside Neighbourhood Garden have all been supported by Karen’s fantastic efforts. Throughout her career, the mum of three also arranged grants and funding from the Asda Foundation totalling tens of thousands of pounds, and on top of that she’s been a fundraiser for BBC Children in Need and Tickled Pink, which supports charity partners Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! Karen, 68, said: “I’ve had loads of jobs in the store. I’ve put out yoghurts and things like that on fresh, then I went into the warehouse and got my forklift truck licence, I’ve done the deli and been in the office. “Then they asked me if I wanted to do community and that was about 24 years ago. We were events co-ordinators back then. “You couldn’t ask for a better job than being a Community Champion. I’ve just loved it. It hasn’t been like a job at all. It just makes you feel so good. I’ve met some wonderful people. People who, every day, go out of their way in their community to help others and everyone is just so appreciative.” Karen, who has been married to husband Bill for 45 years, plans to travel to Australia later this year and says her role at Asda has inspired her to keep helping others in the future. “I will be kept busy in retirement as the clubs I went to through Asda, I’ll now be going to as a volunteer,” she said. Hazel Culbert, Community Champion at Asda Stenhousemuir, helped organise a surprise farewell bash for Karen to make sure she was seen off in style. Hazel said: “Karen had hoped to retire quietly and slip away unnoticed. She had no idea we knew and had planned an amazing celebration for her. “We presented her with gifts, flowers and a card and an added bonus a video montage of photos from her Community Champion career. Needless to say, our Karen was a bit emotional as well as stunned. Good luck with your retirement Karen, you will be sorely missed.” Asda Ayr Store Manager, Gillian Dillon, added: “I have worked with Karen on and off for my whole Asda career of 26 years and can honestly say she’s like my work mum. “She has dedicated roughly 35 years to Asda and for much of that time she has been an excellent Community Champion. Before this she worked as a fabulous warehouse colleague. “In the last five years she has proactively supported 62 groups and invested £70,000. She will definitely be a big loss in Asda Ayr, but we wish her a very happy retirement.” Don’t miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter
