“It is a happy place, where you are doing something that has a real purpose.”
For Sally, volunteering at her local Children’s Trust charity shop gave her a renewed sense of purpose after facing a difficult period with long Covid. This year, that same drive pushed her across the finish line of the London Marathon, raising vital funds for children with brain injury.
Sally shares her story...
“I retired in 2022 due to long Covid. It took until 2024 before I felt well enough to take on some kind of voluntary work and started at The Children’s Trust Stoneleigh shop. I have now been volunteering at the Stoneleigh shop for over 2 years.
“My mother has been a volunteer at the Stoneleigh shop for over 25 years - she is 93 years old now and still volunteers one hour a week. She fell ill in December 2023 and encouraged me to volunteer at the shop in her place. She has always loved it there and believed if my health had improved enough that I would also enjoy working there.
“My mother was correct! I love volunteering at the shop; it is such a joyful, happy place to be.”
“Everyone made me feel very welcome and I like all aspects of the role, particularly serving the customers and doing something worthwhile and feeling part of the community.
A huge achievement
“I took up running in my late 40's to get fit, but when I caught covid was unable to run any distance for a couple of years due to fatigue. I wanted to run the London marathon because it meant that I had overcome quite a dark and depressing time in my life where my health had been severely compromised.
“I was lucky enough to secure a ballot place but always knew that this would be a good opportunity to fundraise for The Children’s Trust. Not only had I been to the volunteers’ event at Tadworth Court and seen the good work they do there, but this was the place where I had found my own health too.
“Crossing the finish line of the London Marathon was highly emotional, I was sobbing and laughing all at the same time and felt an overwhelming sense of achievement. I felt I had been on a massive journey and proved that I could do something, that only a few years ago was impossible.
Why volunteering matters
“The volunteers are the lifeline of the charity shops; they give up their own time to make sure the charity operates. There is a massive amount of goodwill amongst the volunteers, we want the charity to thrive and succeed and we are prepared to work hard to make that happen.
“I would encourage anyone who is thinking about volunteering to come and give it a go. The managers and the existing volunteers always make new volunteers very welcome, and they are given training and support in the different roles.”
“It is a happy place, where you are doing something that has a real purpose.”
Inspired by Sally’s story? Join our community of volunteers and make a difference to the lives of children with brain injury: thechildrenstrust.org.uk/support-our-work/volunteering
