Tynedale Hospice at Home is appealing for more community fundraising volunteers to raise awareness of its services and raise vital funds to support its work in the local community.
Tynedale Hospice at Home provides palliative nursing care to people in their own homes, Family Support Services for people experiencing bereavement and a Hospital Transport Service to people living in Tynedale, West Northumberland, Ponteland and the surrounding areas.
Cathy Bates, Senior Community Fundraiser, Tynedale Hospice at Home, said: “We have a loyal and dedicated team of fundraising volunteers who support us in the local community at local events, Christmas and Summer Fayres and who help out at bag packs and other community events but we are in desperate need of more support so that we can attend as many of these events as possible. They are an ideal way for us to spread the word about what we do, as well as raise vital funds to support our work.
“On average, thanks to the efforts of our community fundraising volunteers, we could raise around £1,000 a month by attending these events but this is getting harder to achieve when we have a limited number of volunteers to attend. It would be brilliant to get a few more volunteers on board to help us achieve this aim. £1,000 could provide an incredible 33 hours of hospice nursing care in the home to someone that needs it.”
“Becoming an occasional volunteer is ideal for anyone who wants flexibility in their volunteering role and doesn’t want to commit to set number of hours each week. Attending community events is also lots of fun and there’s plenty of opportunity to meet with other volunteers and make new friends and if you like interacting with the public then this role could be ideal for you.”
A volunteer’s story
When Hexham resident Wendy Reed was looking for a volunteer opportunity, a post on Tynedale Hospice at Home’s Face book page really caught her attention.
“The Hospice was looking for occasional volunteers to help sell their Christmas soft toys and run fundraising stalls in the lead up to Christmas. I was looking for something worthwhile to do so the call for volunteers came at just the right time in my life. I signed up to become a fundraising volunteer shortly after and I am so glad I did.”
Now Wendy is a regular face in the local community, running fundraising stalls in local department stores, selling raffle tickets at events and fayres, helping out with collecting tins and selling soft toys when needed.
“I love being out and about meeting people and there’s plenty of opportunity to do this in my role. Knowing that I am doing something worthwhile, however small that is, means a lot to me. When I spend a day selling raffle tickets or running a stall and find out that we’ve raised an good sum, I think about the amount of nursing care this might mean the Hospice can provide and there’s a real buzz in knowing that because of the time I’ve given, someone, somewhere is able to receive this support.
“I have always been involved in volunteering and I’ve developed lots of skills that mean I can turn my hand to a variety of roles but being out and about meeting people, like I am in this role, suits me best. I get lots of support from the Fundraising team and the other volunteers are great so it’s a real team effort.
“We’re so lucky to have Tynedale Hospice at Home in the heart of our community and lots of people I know have benefited from its support or know someone who has. I can’t think of a more worthwhile charity to support.”
To find out more about what’s involved, please call Sam Horne, HR and Volunteer Advisor, Tynedale Hospice at Home, on 01434 611 913 or visit www.tynedalehospice.com/volunteer