A MUCH-loved local volunteer who died last week aged just 27 has been remembered for her kindness and generosity.
Natasha Drake, known to many as Tash, was a volunteer with Chelsea SES and the Starlight Foundation. She died on 22 February after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm.
Ms Drake’s father Glenn said that the support his family has received from the community has been “a great comfort at this terrible time”.
“We are overwhelmed at the outpouring of love and support from so many people, including her fellow volunteers at Chelsea SES,” he said. “Some that knew Tash, but many who had never met her, and just wanted to thank her for what she had given to the community.”
Ms Drake spent a little more than five years volunteering with the Chelsea SES unit. She was part of the unit management team. Her fellow SES volunteers have paid heartfelt tributes to her, remembering her as a giving person.
Chelsea SES controller Ron Fitch said “Tash was so generous with everything she did at the unit, nothing was too much trouble. It was just Tash being Tash, to want to help others”. Chelsea SES deputy controller Phil Wall said “I am honoured to have been asked by the family to conduct the funeral service in my role as a celebrant. It is going to be so tough, but I couldn’t say no for Tash.”
During her time working as part of the SES community engagement team, Ms Drake visited kinders, preschools, and schools. Students from Beachwood Early Learning Centre in Bonbeach have worked together on a condolence card which was sent to the SES unit last week.
Tash Drake was an organ donor. It is hoped that her organs will be used in a final act of generosity to save the lives of people who need them.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 2 March 2022
