... and the lady who loves volunteering for charities
Itook part in a dragon boat race a few years ago at Cutters Wharf in Belfast for Cancer Focus NI, who then sent me regular newsletters which contained information about volunteering and it was something I was keen to do.
I’ve volunteered with a number of charities over the years and for Cancer Focus NI I’ve done street collections and bag packing. I’m now looking at getting involved with the charity’s Zest for Life, a six-week programme designed for those people who are on a survival and recovery period in their cancer journey.
Street collections might not appeal to everyone, but I quite enjoy the interaction I get when I’m out on behalf of the charity.
I find the bag packing is an amazing experience and I’ve done several of them in the Marks & Spencer at Bloomfield in Bangor.
One of the first times I did it an elderly lady was telling me about how she’d lost her husband the previous year and we stood and talked for ages, and ended up hugging each other —
For more information on volunteering,
including street collecting, contact Morag, tel: 028 9066 3281 or email moragchambers@cancerfocusni.org to choose a date and venue to
collect. all from putting a few groceries into her bag.
You meet very interesting people who, quite openly, talk to you about their experiences. They’re also interested in the work Cancer Focus NI do and are incredibly generous as well. I find it very sociable and people are more aware of others who are struggling at this time of year.
Christmas time is very emotional and difficult for many, but especially for the people going through the trauma of cancer.
I feel I’ve a lot to give, and it’s a worthwhile cause to give my time to.”