‘I want to be a role model’

Unable to work due to a chronic condition, Angi Collins helps others and is delighted her son wants to as well

Angi Collins’ son Charlie (11) is already talking about volunteering when he’s older and she couldn’t be more pleased. “I try to be a good role model and I don’t always know if I am,” says single mum Angi (47) from Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Diagnosed 10 years ago with the chronic fatigue condition Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Fibromyalgia, Angi’s problems mean she can’t commit to a job.

But, as she’s keen to point out: “I’m not a lazy person. Even when I was at school I had weekend jobs in cafés and afterwards I always worked doing jobs in retail, childcare and caring for the elderly.”

To keep herself busy on better health days, Angi turned to volunteering as it’s flexible. Initially, she began helping children to read at Charlie’s primary school.

“I liked helping others and the warm feeling I got from it,” she says.

Inspired, she became a parent campaigner for Save the Children after seeing an ad for volunteers for the charity in 2022.

Since then, she’s been actively involved in campaigns on issues affecting children in poverty – including social security, childcare, cost of living and housing.

Her varied role involves spreading the charity’s important messages in the media as well as brainstorming new ideas.

“I enjoy the feeling it gives me and the fact that it’s something I can still do despite my health,” she says.

It’s also had a positive effect on Charlie, who has autism. “I want him to have a good work ethic, so the fact that he sees me doing these things and is already in that mindset of helping others is great.”

■ Visit savethechildren.org.uk