A husband-and-wife duo who volunteer in a popular charity shop say they are proud and honoured to show their support.
Roy and Maureen Henderson spare two afternoons a week to help in the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) store in Sudbury.
Maureen has been helping for nearly ten years – joining shortly after the North Street shop opened in July 2014 – while Roy followed in 2016.
Both are passionate about it and would recommend volunteering to others.
“I’m proud to have been volunteering here for nearly ten years,” said Maureen, who lives in Great Cornard.
“It’s flown by but something I’ve always enjoyed and felt strongly about.
“I started out because my granddaughter used to help here after school.
“It sounded enjoyable and when I said I might be interested, she said ‘you’ll love it, nan’. She was right.
“I liked it from the beginning and started making new friends straight away.
“I enjoy being around people and I’m always recommending it to others.
“People think it’s a massive commitment but it doesn’t have to be that way. Volunteering can be flexible and you can fit it in around your busy life.”
Children have been a common denominator in Maureen’s life.
She trained as a nanny with Barnardo’s and subsequently became a childminder. She also has three children, nine grandchildren and a great-grandson – and spends her spare time knitting blankets, hats and cardigans for babies at West Suffolk Hospital.
“I’ve always loved children, so perhaps it was written in the stars that I’d do something like this one day,” said the 74-year-old.
“I don’t have a personal connection to EACH, although I know families that have received support at The Treehouse.
“That includes one of my neighbours who was so positive about the help she gets. She couldn’t have been more complimentary.
“Roy and I recently went on a tour of The Treehouse and it really brought it home to me, in terms of why we do what we do. It made me more aware and even more determined to keep helping.”
Like Maureen, Roy volunteers every Tuesday and Friday afternoon.
He fits it in around his work as a painter-decorator and “loves” serving customers on the till – despite being reluctant to start with.
“When the till was first mentioned, I wasn’t keen at all and preferred steaming and sorting donations,” said the 75-year-old.
“However, I said I’d give it a go and now I absolutely love it. It’s so rewarding.
“I’ve lived in this area all my life so know lots of people and customers, which makes it a very sociable thing to do.
“We’ve also become good friends with other volunteers, which is nice.
“Volunteering is definitely something I’d recommend to anyone.
“I enjoyed it right from the start and it’s perfect for anyone who likes keeping busy, helping people and being around others, like we do.”
To find out more about volunteering in Sudbury, pop in for a chat, email shop manager Bev Williams (Bev.Williams@each.org.uk) or Sales Assistant Nicole Ellis (Nicole.Ellis@each.org.uk) or call 01787 379132.
