Brothers Dave, Ian and Pete (pictured left to right) volunteer their time and energy to help with our annual Hospice events, from the Midnight Moo to the Christmas tree collection service. They were inspired to get involved by their late mum, Margaret, who was a long-serving Hospice volunteer herself, and because of the end-of-life care we provided for their dad, Leslie, in 2008.
Having fun
Ian: For me, when you’re volunteering, you’re raising awareness of the Hospice and trying to raise funds, but it’s also about showing that you’re enjoying it and that it’s fun. It’s exciting meeting different people of all ages, from all walks of life.
Our dad was cared for by Willen. But it was our dear mother who actually started it all. She used to volunteer in the Hospice coffee shop in Newport Pagnell. I saw one of her newsletters from Willen one day and I thought, “Actually, I’ve got some time to spare.”
I came to a volunteer meeting at the Hospice and I thought it had a really good vibe. The staff and the team were all lovely, and it was for such a good cause. So I volunteered to marshal at the Midnight Moo. I’d never done anything like it before, but it was brilliant. Since then I’ve done all the Midnight and Midday Moos.
“I volunteered to marshal at the Midnight Moo. I’d never done anything like it before, but it was brilliant.”
Willing to help
Dave: We’ve volunteered with the January Christmas tree collection since before the pandemic. Ian had done it two or three times before, then Pete and I decided to join in too. This year we collected 68 trees in a day.
Pete: We have a routine! The Hospice tell us where we’re going to. Ian is the driver, and Dave and I are the collectors, so we do the sawing of the trees. We do have a good laugh, which is what it’s all about. When we meet people, they can see how much enjoyment we get out of doing this. People are meant to put their trees outside for collection, but we did have one this year that was still in the lounge with all the Christmas lights on!
“When we meet people, they can see how much enjoyment we get out of doing this.”
Ian: When I first started doing this, I was with another volunteer in a car with a trailer on the back. Now we’ve grown into our own little team. Pete’s employer donated the use of a work van for a couple of years. Then I approached Michael at Simple Van and Truck Hire, and he now loans us a van free of charge each year, which is very generous of him. He’s glad to be able to help the Hospice. Around here there’s always somebody who knows about the Hospice and is willing to offer support.
The area we collect from is increasing in size every year, which is good for the Hospice. There are also multiple chipping sites now, so we can just drop the trees off wherever is the closest. If we come back to the Hospice we grab a cup of tea and something to eat to keep us going. You see some regular faces volunteering and there’s some newer faces as well, which is always good. There is a real sense of camaraderie, plus healthy competition between the vans! I think there were 28 teams going out on the Saturday this year, which is amazing.
Pillars of the community
Ian: Our mum and dad moved to Newport Pagnell in the late 1960s so they knew a lot of people locally. If you walked up the town, it would take a couple of hours because they’d chat to everyone! They were quite big pillars of the community, and loved the area and the people.
Pete: Dad was a coach driver so they used to go off on coach trips to the seaside or maybe up to the Lake District. They loved having all the family around, and if they could celebrate something with a party, they would!
Mum was a dab hand at baking. You could guarantee on visiting Mum that there would be a cake or scone freshly made. She made cakes for the Hospice’s Newport Pagnell coffee shop and volunteered there serving customers, which was a big thing for her. It was her way of giving back for the support the Hospice gave her husband at the end of his life.
Ian: It was a highlight of her week. She’d start thinking about it on the Wednesday. And then, come Thursday night, she would get in bed early, ready for the coffee shop at 8am on Friday. She’d get it open and cleaned up. She so enjoyed helping out and meeting all the regulars but also any new faces.
“[Volunteering] gave [Mum] focus and helped her deal with the grief.”
Dave: That was her saving grace after Dad died. It gave her focus and helped her deal with the grief. The social interaction Mum had with the customers and the other volunteers was so special. She made lifetime friendships in her time there.
Every week, part of the conversation that we would each have with her when she phoned us was how much the coffee shop had made! Sometimes it would be a quiet week and sometimes they’d make over £100. She was so proud of what the coffee shop achieved every week through the dedication of its volunteers.
Supporting hospice care
Dave: Dad passed away in 2008. He was at the Hospice for over a week, and then came home and was cared for by the Willen at Home team. More recently my father-in-law and sister-in-law were cared for by the Hospice too. The empathy and understanding from Willen, not just for the patient, but the support for the family, was outstanding.
We are blessed that we have the Hospice in this area and that it can serve this community. Because in some other areas, hospice care is virtually non-existent. I say to people, whatever you can give back or do to promote Willen Hospice, please do. Because, let’s be honest, at some point you or a member of your family may need it.
“As brothers we do whatever we can to give back and help promote the wonderful service the Hospice provides.”
I have an underlying cancer condition myself. Ultimately, Willen is where I could end up. Pete has also been affected by cancer. So as brothers we do whatever we can to give back and help promote the wonderful service the Hospice provides.
Ian: We know a lot of hospices around the country are going through difficult financial times. But it’s a matter of getting the local community involved. It’s also good for local businesses to be involved because it’s likely their staff know somebody who’s been cared for by the Hospice or will need their help in the future.
We try to get more people involved in volunteering and we help at several events. Whatever people can do to offer support is greatly appreciated. It’s people making a difference through whatever ways and means they can, so that Willen Hospice can continue giving such fantastic support and comfort to those who need it.
