One in a MILLION!
This week, we’re admiring the creative feats of Pamela Patrick, 87, from Oxford. She said…
Smearing the glue across the back of the card, I lined it up perfectly and then stuck it down. Using recycled greeting cards given to me by members of the local community, I cut them out and gave them a new lease of life by backing them onto fresh-white card.
Then, anyone could write their own message inside.
This one is so pretty, I thought, admiring the design.
I always made sure the lines were straight when sticking – if not, I didn’t sell them.
My creative pastime wasn’t just a hobby.
I decided to recycle greeting cards to raise money for Sobell House Hospice around 25 years ago and since then, I’d kept it up.
My best friend Glenis, who received end-of-life care there after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, inspired me to do so. Visiting her multiple times a week, I saw how kind the staff were to Glenis.
‘Is there a way I can give back to Sobell House?’ I asked the staff there.
And shortly, I found myself volunteering as a driver for the outpatients.
Only, a staff member had another idea up their sleeve.
Returning from a church fete, she rushed up to me.
‘Pam, I saw a woman selling handmade cards today,’ she said. ‘You could do that!’ And so the seed was sown. Advertising in the local parish magazine and asking everyone who came into Sobell House to donate their used greeting cards, I collected new designs.
From birthdays to Christmas cards and more general designs such as cats, dogs and flowers, I racked up a bank for all occasions. My husband John helped out with the guillotining – my least favourite part – while I did the sticking until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s seven years ago and passed away on 29 June 2019, aged 90. Afterwards, my friend Janet, another volunteer at Sobell House, started helping me make the cards, too.
Then, I took them to local coffee mornings and sold them at Sobell House for just £1.
I didn’t expect to sell many – I was just happy to do my part.
But over the past two decades, I’ve managed to raise over £25,000!
That even helped Sobell House buy a brand-new piano and redecorate its garden.
Knowing that I’ve helped Sobell House continue to provide outstanding care is beyond rewarding.
It just goes to show that by starting with something as small as a card, you can still make a huge difference.
● Please visit: sobellhouse.org
The staff were so kind to Glenis