A COMMUNITY stalwart is stepping down from her duties helping some of North Glasgow’s most vulnerable groups.

Remzije Sherifi - known to her friends and co-workers as Rema - has worked at Maryhill Integration Network (MIN) for almost 20 years and is now hanging up her hat.

Remzije worked as a journalist on Radio Gjilan in Kosovo before the war in the Balkans broke out.

Fearing for her life, she and her family fled to a refugee camp in Macedonia.

After this, she took refuge in Glasgow in 1999.

Soon after arriving in the city, she took to volunteering with a number of projects across Glasgow with the aim of supporting members of her community and others.

In 2004, she became the first paid member of staff at MIN, as a development worker.

A spokeswoman for the organisation said: “It would be impossible to put into words the amazing contribution to MIN that Rema has made as we celebrate 20 years of the organisation this year.

“We would not be where we are today without her drive, passion and commitment to the work and we thank her from the bottom of our hearts for everything she has achieved since 2004.

“We know she will always be a part of MIN and our door will always be open for her. Happy retirement Rema, you’ve earned it.

“Going forward, the team at MIN are excited to carry on Rema’s legacy with the staff members that she has led and nurtured. Rema will be greatly missed by all the staff, volunteers and service users.”

MIN was established to bring asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and native Glaswegians together.

Since 2001, the group has developed projects which aim to promote cross-cultural understanding and friendship between the diverse communities of Maryhill and North Glasgow.