Volunteer stories
Here are three of our superstar volunteers who are keen to encourage new people to join them!
Lucy Goodier, from Warrington, began supporting the Trust in 2006 after her daughter had meningitis.
"In 2005, when my daughter, Hannah, contracted meningitis and made her recovery, it took me a long time to realise, and admit, that I was having problems coming to terms with the experience. I felt depressed and became completely irrational, anxious and a person that I truly didn't understand for quite a while after. I knew this couldn't continue, but couldn't really see any light at the end of the tunnel. I wanted to find out how I could help others and also how I could raise a little bit of money as our contribution. I ‘Googled’ meningitis and the Trust came up.
"As a family, we suffered great post trauma and that was a huge area the Trust supported, so I made contact. Initially it was just to say hello, but very quickly I decided to do a Coffee Break as my first fundraiser. I made a huge effort and it was a massive part of my personal recovery, as I channelled my emotions into it. I raised around £650 from the first one and since then I have done another two Coffee Breaks, all totalling over £1,500 for the Trust.
"I am also part of the Meningitis Trust Bolton Community Group. I also volunteer as a one-to-one contact for the Trust and have recently had a family with similar circumstance to ours make contact with me.
"I represent the Trust at various exhibitions and baby shows and raise awareness. I also attend fundraising events and functions, either accompanying Christine Hughes the Community Development Officer for my area, or alone as a guest speaker myself.
"I have developed a close relationship with the Trust now and it has become a fundamental part of our family."
Colena Devenish, from Gloucestershire, began volunteering in 2008 as she wanted to support a local charity and gain valuable work experience
"I volunteer at the Meningitis Trust head office. I try to make it a regular day to ensure the staff know when I will be in and have suitable jobs ready and waiting.
"I may be collating information, inputting databases, the design and assembly of display boards, or any number of activities that free-up staff to concentrate on more specialised tasks. It gives me an opportunity to tackle different skills and expand my professional acumen. Whatever I’m doing, I get a great sense of job satisfaction and being a valued part of an organised team.
"The stories I read sometimes reduce me to tears, others overwhelm me with wellbeing for the character and tenacity of the children, it’s just remarkable the progress that has been made getting information and help out there. It’s also very humbling and makes me so very grateful for my own good health.
"It offers me an opportunity to feel I’ve given something back to a charity close to my heart, as well as my home."
Anne Gaston, from Kent, started supporting the Trust in 1997 after signing up to a Coffee Break
"I first became involved with the Trust in 1997. I had two children and realised I hardly knew anything about the dangers of meningitis. I was happy to become a supporter and I have taken part in many fundraising events and given talks to groups both large and small.
"Some of the time I feel really sad when you hear first-hand the devastating effects meningitis has on the lives of those it touches, but I also never cease to be amazed at the energy and determination people have to raise money and awareness."
