Your Hospice Needs You!

23 January 2012

“Do you fancy helping out at a massive charity firework event, a Ride for Ryder Bike Ride, Reading Half Marathon or even a Shetland pony fair? Then Sue Ryder needs you!” These are the words of Sue Ryder’s fundraising volunteer support Marion Haynes as she sets out on a mission to recruit 200 more local volunteers to help make these forthcoming events a huge fundraising success.

“We’ve got a splendid team of hardworking volunteers at Nettlebed, working mainly on the hospice’s three-weekly sales of donated goods. We are now looking to swell the ranks of this dedicated army by recruiting 200 people from across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire to help make our fundraising events a resounding success.

“Our events programme is vital to raising much-needed money to help Sue Ryder continue to provide specialist hospice care across the three counties. And the more people we have working on these events, the more successful they will be, and the more money we will raise.”

Volunteers are needed for:

Reading Half Marathon - Madejski Stadium on April 1 from 7am to 2pm - to work in the kit tent and to be part of cheering squad to support Sue Ryder’s 80 runners
Shetland & Highland Fair - Nettlebed Hospice on May 27 from 8am to 5pm - to help with event and car park marshalling. After a break of 30 years, Shetland ponies will return to Nettlebed. The ponies will be showed and there will be a Shetland Grand National together with many more attractions for all ages including live music, Highland Dancers and dog agility.
Ride for Ryder Bike Ride - Nettlebed Hospice on June 24 from 8am to 3pm -to help with registration, refreshments and route marshalling for this two-route bike ride around the beautiful scenic counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, the three counties Sue Ryder offers care to.
Firework Spectacular - Nettlebed Hospice on October 27 from 4pm to 9pm – to help with the fancy dress competition, car park marshalling, refreshments and selling raffle tickets.

Ken Tudgay is a 76-year-old former Cold Stream Guard who has a passion for volunteering. A life-long volunteer, Ken now takes great enjoyment from being a volunteer for Sue Ryder. “I really enjoy volunteering – it is part of my life and is fantastic fun. I love people and I love smiling faces, and volunteering gives me the chance to meet more people and to get involved in doing new and different things. Part of the enjoyment is working with the other volunteers. It can be tiring but a change is as good as a rest so I always say bring on the next event!” said Ken.

Sue Ryder is also looking for more people to help in the fundraising office at Nettlebed Hospice. Lisa Tylee, who has been an office volunteer since her father died at Nettlebed hospice in 2010, said: “Nuts and bolts administration is vital work to keeping a hard-working and dynamic fundraising office running smoothly. And it can be very sociable, working with alongside staff and other volunteers. I’ve also been on the radio to talk about my experiences of Sue Ryder. I’ve found that focusing on straightforward, routine tasks can be surprisingly therapeutic too.

“The more help the fundraisers have the better. They need to keep the funds rolling in so Sue Ryder can continue to care for people. I’m glad to be doing my bit and urge others to come forward to do the same. It’s a very satisfying feeling to be helping Sue Ryder continue to provide the fantastic end of life care that I have indirectly been the beneficiary of. It’s an important contribution.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at Sue Ryder’s fundraising events or in the office should contact Marion Haynes on 01491 641246.

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