Celebrating International Volunteers' Day

We're lucky to have a team of more than 1,000 volunteers, who give up their time to ensure the smooth running of our hospices, shops and make every day life just that bit easier for families.

At this time of year especially, our volunteers really do make magic happen - from decorating our hospices and wrapping gifts to supporting festive events and simply being a friendly face, our volunteers make a huge difference.

We're proud to work alongside such dedicated volunteers who bring warmth and joy to everything they do.

One of these amazing people is Marjorie - one of Demelza’s oldest volunteers, who has no plans to stop giving up her time at almost 91.

Marjorie volunteers at our Eastbourne shop and gets the bus into town every Thursday, spending her mornings on the till, chatting away to customers as she rings through their purchases.

A lifelong Eastbourne resident, Marjorie started volunteering for Demelza around five and a half years ago after losing her husband.

 “I was left feeling quite low and my daughter suggested it, but I wasn’t keen at first as I’ve worked all my life,” she said.

“But in the end I came in as my daughter had a friend who worked here and I loved it.

“I love meeting people and it gives me something to get up for.”

Before retiring Marjorie, who turns 91 this month, worked as a receptionist at a local doctors’ surgery and when she first started volunteering she was steaming clothes ready for display.

She decided she would rather be on the shop floor, but never thought she’d get to grips with using the till. So the Demelza team supported her to learn the ropes and she was soon up and running and welcoming people to the shop.

Great grandmother Marjorie added: “I don’t tell everybody I’m 90 but my daughter always tells me to – she is proud of me.

“I do like giving something back and it’s good to come and meet people if you are a bit lonely. It’s a nice working environment and you meet some really nice people.”

One of the nicest things for Marjorie about taking up the volunteering role at Demelza is that she reconnected with a friend, Margret, from the doctors’ surgery and recruited her to the team too.

Now she and Margaret see each other every week while they work at the shop and they and all the team are looking forward to a big Christmas lunch together.

As well as the benefits of meeting people, working with friends and keeping busy, Marjorie also admits that most weeks she makes a purchase and goes home with something new – a testament to the hidden treasures customers can find in all our shops.

Voluntary Services Officer, Fiona Moore, said: “Each and every one of our volunteers is a key part of helping Demelza continue to provide its vital support to children with serious or life-limiting conditions.

“They support Demelza in so many different ways, from helping with DIY, housekeeping and gardening to cooking, working in our shops and helping at fundraising events.

“Incredibly, Marjorie isn’t Demelza’s only volunteer in their 90s and so can’t quite take the title of our oldest volunteer - we also have a 93 and a 92-year-old who both work in other shops.

“We love inspiring stories like Majorie’s which just go to show there’s no age limit and there’s a role for you no matter how much time you can offer.”