Malcolm is our longest-serving volunteer and has gradually added many roles to his volunteering portfolio. After losing his wife, Malcolm was looking for ways to get out and meet people. This led him to a retail volunteer position. Malcolm volunteers for 2 mornings a week and is normally found behind the till in our Stone shop. Additionally, Malcolm is a qualified PAT tester, as well as a regular on our van collections.

Asked what he enjoys about volunteering, Malcolm said “I enjoy my role because it gets me out meeting people and I feel good about being able to help a charity”

Malcolm enjoys being able to do the different roles especially when there is a good cup of tea on offer!

When Malcolm was asked if he would recommend volunteering to others he said “Volunteering is great because you can pick and choose when you want to volunteer and this works well around my dancing and caring for my grandchildren. The work is varied and you can choose something that suits you with great support from the rest of the team.

Our lovely Gill volunteers in the Stone shop. She enjoys interacting with customers and helping to keep the shop tidy and organised. She volunteers for one full day every other week and does an amazing job.

Gill has a few words to share…

I decided to volunteer to make a difference, even if it is only a small one. Being on the shop floor is perfect for me because I enjoy meeting people. During quiet times, I love arranging the displays in the store. AEDdonate is a local charity shop that raises funds for a worthwhile cause in my community. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, and I highly recommend it to others.

Brian joined our team in 2022 seeking an opportunity to gain confidence after ill health. Since that first day when he stepped through the door, we’ve kept him busy with a whole host of tasks from defibrillator maintenance to van driving and completing our weekly donation bank collections.

Whilst Brian has grown in confidence he’s also brought so many skills and experience to his role proving a real asset to our team. Without fail Brian generously gives 2 days per week to help out with anything that needs doing, nothing is too much trouble and we love having him around.

When we asked Brian how he feels about volunteering with us he said, “I’ve enjoyed working with a friendly and supportive team and no two day are the same. I would recommend a volunteer role to anyone who is looking to make a difference in the community, you can meet new people and offer your skills to help”

Sue began volunteering with us in 2019 but has been volunteering with other organisations for over 24 years! As well as volunteering in our retail section Sue has also helped with many fundraising events and is very good at coming up with new ideas for fundraising. Sue is incredibly organised and helps to keep the shop looking pristine.

When we asked Sue why she enjoys volunteering with us and she replied, “I like the ambiance of the shop; I enjoy helping and getting to know the customers. It feels good to support a charity while giving back to the community. After losing family members to heart disease, I am very passionate about this charity.