‘Why I volunteer’
Vera Barrett, who’s now in her early 80s, says she “wouldn’t be without” her volunteering work because it gives her week structure.
She heard about The Brain Tumour Charity after her husband, Reg, was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain tumour. He had a seizure in January 2005 followed by two lots of surgery, six weeks of radiotherapy and one chemotherapy treatment. But he became too unwell to continue with it. He sadly died in December 2006.
Vera started volunteering for The Charity in 2008 and has continued to do so ever since – apart from an enforced break during Covid-19 restrictions.
18 years of volunteering
Vera said: “There was a patient support group that met in Hartley Witney every month or so and we went to several of their meetings. Then I asked for donations to the charity at Reg’s funeral.
“I decided to get more involved and went into the office in Yateley once a week to do admin tasks like filing and putting information packs together. At that time there were fewer than 10 staff! I’ve also helped at a couple of Twilight Walks and local events, but my age is beginning to catch up on me, so I’m mostly office-based now.
“I help with updating the database, printing Thank You certificates for fundraisers, the post, helping the events team prepared for an event and generally making myself useful. I keep coming back as I feel I am making a small contribution to the cause.
Vera
I continue to be amazed at how the Charity has grown over the past 15 years. It’s incredible that what started off on a kitchen table is now such a well-respected organisation raising awareness of such a devastating disease.
I’m proud and pleased to be able to continue to support The Charity by giving a few hours most weeks, saving paid staff a bit of time by doing very simple tasks, and occasionally sponsoring staff or others who are fundraising.”
A huge thank you
Supporter Care Officer Amy Close, who often works alongside her, said: “We always look forward to catching up with Vera.
“Far from only making a small contribution, she’s indispensable and does a superb job, freeing us up to respond to email enquiries and answer calls.”
Vera, who’s now married to Alan, has also had her own health issues which means her usual three-mile walks around Windsor Great Park are occasionally cut short.
But she remains stoic and spritely – and we’d like to say a huge thank you to her and all our volunteers for their time and efforts via this short video >>>>>>
Volunteer with us!
If Volunteers’ Week has you interested in getting involved with The Charity, you’ll be pleased to know there are lots of volunteering opportunities available!
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