Shirley’s Story
Shirley has been volunteering with us for over 12 years and has kindly shared with us why she chooses to volunteer for the Hospice.
After I retired, and my mother had died after her battle with cancer, I wanted to use my skills and time to give back to a local charity.
Shirley started volunteering for us 12 years ago. She volunteers in our Donation Centre and Chineham Store for a few days every week.
As well as helping with in-store duties, Shirley sorts through jewellery, beads, and crafts items so all these can go on to be sold in our stores to raise vital funds.
When we asked Shirley why she choose to volunteer her time and skills to St. Michael’s Hospice, she told us, ‘I have always been into my hobbies, so after I retired, and my mother had died after her battle with cancer, I wanted to use my skills and time to give back to a local charity’.
Shirley’s hard work doesn’t stop at the Donation Centre or in our stores! She also spends her free time at home sorting craft items and dolls for us. Shirley washes the dolls that are donated to us, brushing their hair and making sure their clothes are tidy so they can go on to be sold in our stores in the best condition possible for our customers. The time she gives to the Hospice through volunteering in her free time makes a huge difference, providing high quality items to sell in our stores which go on to raise funds that help us continue to provide care across North Hampshire.
Shirley told us, ‘If I were to pick one thing that I love most about volunteering it would be the fact that I feel useful. A supporter thanked me not long ago for the work I do for the arts and craft section in Chineham. She had brought a jar of beads for her daughter to play with as a sensory aid and she loved it.’
A customer in our Chineham store shared this quote about Shirley, ‘Shirley is an absolute marvel. I’ve come down from Derbyshire to look at the craft section because she makes such a lovely section to browse through.’
We’re so grateful to have such fantastic volunteers like Shirley helping us across the charity, if you have been inspired by her story and want to know more about volunteering with us, please click here.