A pair of Frome volunteers have been praised for their decade of dedication to a children’s charity.
Kathy Pepler and Margaret Croud have been supporting the Barnardo’s shop in Kingsway Precinct for ten years. In advance of national Volunteers’ Week which begins on June 1st, they are sharing their stories in an effort to encourage more people to donate their time to good causes.
Kathy, aged 67, is a great-grandmother who decided to join the charity to boost her self-confidence. She said, “I was staying at home for most of the day and realised that I was losing my confidence because I wasn’t seeing many people.
“I needed to do something so I decided to volunteer for a children’s charity as I adore children so much.
“Everyone at the Barnardo’s shop was really supportive when I explained that I didn’t want to be put under any pressure, but as time went on I started doing more and more tasks, and now I serve behind the till even though I originally said it would never happen.
“I love coming in because it makes me feel so good. Volunteering is absolutely amazing – even my own grand-daughter has been in to help!”
Margaret, aged 76, is a former district nurse who missed the company of other people and wanted to remain active. She said, “Volunteering is better than I ever expected and it gets better with every passing year.
“The staff are wonderful, the customers are lovely, and we’re proud of what we sell – we never display anything which we wouldn’t be happy to wear ourselves.
“It’s a privilege to volunteer for a charity which does so much good work.”
Barnardo’s shop manager Judith Loughlin said, “It’s been a pleasure to work with Kathy and Margaret for the last ten years.
“Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, make new friends and learn new skills, as well as helping to fundraise for a very worthy cause.
“We sincerely appreciate every hour which people can spare.”
The Barnardo’s shop is open Monday-Saturday from 9am-5.30pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm.
The team will gratefully receive donations of good-quality clothes, books, toys, games, accessories and bric-a-brac. Donors can also sign up for Gift Aid which means the charity can claim an extra 25p for every £1 raised.
Call (01373) 463513.
