We hope you are all staying well as we slowly enter into a ‘new normal’. This week, we’re celebrating Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June) and I’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who have supported us at fundraising events, packing parties, and other campaigns over the last year – we really couldn’t have achieved what we have without our dedicated littlelifts community. We are grateful to you all.
We’re also marking this week with the promotion of one of our amazing volunteers, previously a beneficiary, to our Board of Trustees. Some of you may know Jill Ward, who was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in Jan 2018. After surgery and treatment she is now in good health. She received a littlelifts box in February 2018 during her chemo planning meeting. A few days later, she emailed me to express her thanks.
Jill told us recently: “That very first chemotherapy meeting at the hospital was particularly overwhelming. I was confronted with a very long list of some unpleasant potential side effects. So when I opened the littlelifts box I felt as though someone, somewhere, at that moment, totally understood all my feelings, and had packed them in a box. I didn’t realise how helpful each item would be. It was received at exactly the right time, my lowest point, and nudged me through each bout of chemo.”
Later, Jill started volunteering for us by attending focus groups. She has also given a speech at our littlelifts’ anniversary event and has spoken at other public and corporate events on behalf of littlelifts. Very recently we asked her if she would consider joining our Board of Trustees.
We are thrilled she said yes! Jill has been an invaluable part of our community over the last couple of years, and as a beneficiary of a littlelifts box, she will bring another perspective to the team. We feel very lucky to have her.
Jill’s professional background is in criminal law and training, and in the past, she has run her own small business. With that combination she will be able to offer support to extend the roles of volunteers and ambassadors in reaching out to the wider community.
Jill said: “I’m delighted to be able to give something back to this special charity, which is so close to my heart, and work with such a dedicated team.”
As many of you will know, during Covid-19, we have continued to operate and have rolled out several fundraising initiatives, including our ‘littlesteps’ campaign, ‘Run or walk a Marathon in your Home’. Now, looking towards a new normal over the coming months, we’re carefully reviewing how we can work safely with our volunteers in the community.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for littlelifts can contact the lovely Kay at [email protected]
