Scotland volunteers

CLIC Sargent will be hosting a special reception to say thank you to its dedicated volunteers for their continuing support to the cause.

This week (Monday June 1st to Sunday June 7th) is the 25th anniversary of National Volunteers’ Week and the charity is using the UK's annual celebration of volunteering as an opportunity to thank its own committed group of supporters.

The volunteers, who range in age from 20’s to 70’s, all give up some of their spare time to assist in a variety of ways to help families affected by childhood cancer. 

As a way of recognising their efforts, supporters are being invited to a special celebratory evening on Tuesday (June 2nd) at Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick, the CLIC Sargent holiday home which offers families and children a chance for a well deserved break during and after cancer treatment.

On the night there will be a series of speeches about different aspects of the charity ranging from Services Manager for Malcolm Sargent House, Len Collingwood to Local Community Fundraising Manager, May Gilchrist.  Volunteers will be treated to a buffet and entertained by magician Paul Nardini and special awards will be presented to supporters in recognition of their length of service to the charity.

Among the volunteers attending on the night will be Eileen Granger, from Prestwick.  She and her husband, Shaun, have been dedicated volunteers for CLIC Sargent for the last four years during which time she has managed to raise more than £120,000 for the charity.  The couple’s son Ross was diagnosed with a bilateral wilms tumour (cancer in both kidneys) in June 2004 when he was just 11 months old.  He spent five months undergoing treatment at Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow where he was given weekly doses of chemotherapy and needed to undergo a series of operations.  Just three months after he was initially diagnosed Ross underwent major surgery which resulted in the removal of both tumours along with one and a half of his kidneys.  A further six months of chemotherapy followed to ensure there were no more cancerous cells but since then Ross has gone from strength to strength and he is now approaching his sixth birthday in July.

The Granger family were so moved by the support they received from CLIC Sargent they decided they wanted to give something back.  Eileen currently performs a host of voluntary roles within the charity.  These range from helping out at Malcolm Sargent House in her spare time, providing administrative support, emptying collecting cans throughout Ayrshire and giving talks about childhood cancer and the work of CLIC Sargent to schools and other organisations.

Eileen and her family also organise fundraising events which range from car boot sales to charity golf days and summer fairs.  Eileen initially caught the fundraising bug after hosting a coffee morning in support of Yummy Mummy, one of CLIC Sargent’s national fundraising campaigns.  She and her husband have since gone on to mastermind the Ayrshire Boxing Day Dip which this year will mark its fourth anniversary.  Eileen has also written a book entitled ‘Ross: A Little Miracle’ which has raised £10,000 alone and was split between CLIC Sargent and Yorkhill Hospital.

Eileen said: “The intense chemo weakened Ross' heart, so he may need a heart transplant later in life but we don't think about that. We realise how lucky we are watching our handsome boy grow. The help and support we received from CLIC Sargent was overwhelming. This is what has inspired my husband, Shaun, and I to become volunteers for the charity.

“The way I see it I could sit and watch television or I can give up my time to support CLIC Sargent and help a child with cancer.  Even an hour a week can make a difference and I know from personal experience just how vital the support of CLIC Sargent really is.”

Local Community Fundraising Manager for CLIC Sargent, Richard Donald, said: “I would like to take this opportunity during National Volunteers’ Week (June 1st to 7th) to say a massive thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who support CLIC Sargent.  Our volunteers come from all walks of life and bring a range of skills and experience, fresh energy and enthusiasm to the charity.  Whether they are able to offer the occasional hour or several days, their support is essential and helps make a real difference to families whose lives have been turned upside down by childhood cancer.”

If you’ve got a couple of hours to spare and you would like to make them count you can find out more about volunteering opportunities within the charity by calling Malcolm Sargent House on 01292 692 113 or by visiting the website: www.clicsargent.org.uk/volunteer

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• National Volunteers Week is the UK's annual celebration of volunteers and volunteering which is co-ordinated by Volunteering England.
• For any media enquiries please contact Suzanne Palmer in the CLIC Sargent press office on 0117 3148621 or email: suzanne.palmer@clicsargent.org.uk