Thank you to vital volunteers
A couple of weeks ago we were very fortunate to receive a visit in Perth from the Marie Curie Bus.
The bus is one element of the work of the charity to raise awareness of its work and the services its provides. It is also a vital venture in raising the important and necessary funds to enable the organisation to make an impact on the lives of others.
Marie Curie is one of a number of many organisations, including Macmillan and Maggie’s who provide critical support and services to individuals and families facing terminal illness.
I want to thank all of these organisations for all that they do and recognise, from my extensive constituency experience, the profound impact they have on individuals and their families in providing end of life support.
The bus was staffed by some of the nurses who go into people’s homes to provide the care that enables individuals to be supported at home and to enable loved ones to be able to gain some vital rest. I was struck by the immense pride that is felt by the nursing staff in what they do and the importance they attach to being able to provide that assistance to their patients and their families.
I also had the pleasure of meeting the local volunteer fundraising team in Perth. A small band of willing helpers, they were on hand to explain why it is important for them to work together to raise the funds necessary to support the charity. A number of the volunteers spoke of how their lives had been affected by terminal illness and they wanted to ensure they made a contribution that was beneficial for the charity and the families it supports.
In recent months, the achievement of the volunteers and staff at the Macmillan Coffee Shop at Quarrymill has attracted recognition. Back in May, the Duke of Buccleuch, the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland - who is the Queen’s representative recognised that over 27 years the coffee shop has raised over £1 million to support the work of Macmillan. As well as being a place and selling wonderful cakes, coffee and soup, Quarrymill is a tribute to the marvellous volunteering spirit present in so many parts of our community.
And earlier this year, my family attended a coffee morning in Alyth, organised by a group of intrepid local people, who have run the London Marathon and organised sporting dinners and comedy nights, to raise money for Maggie’s. They are not part of a formal organisation - just a group of friends who work incredibly hard to raise money for a cause they believe makes a real difference to people’s lives.
None of the vital work that is taken forward to support those with a terminal illness and their families would be possible if funds were not raised by these volunteers. I want to say a massive thank you to them all and also to encourage more people to volunteer to support their efforts.
The work of these organisations - and the support of volunteers - is vital for us all.