Marion’s story
Marion has been volunteering in our Pudsey shop for 18 years. What started as a simple conversation with the shop manager quickly turned into a way of life for Marion! This is her story:
Marion’s husband started volunteering in the shop when he retired and Marion would come and pick him up and pop into the shop. After getting to know Marion, the shop managers asked her if she would like to try volunteering too. Until that point, it had never entered her mind – but she hasn’t looked back since!
“I’m among friends and it keeps me active.”
Marion has seen the shop get busier and busier over the years. People will come in and have a chat whilst shopping; she loves the community feel of the shop. And volunteering really helped Marion after her Husband died: “I wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t come here. I’m among friends and it keeps me active.”
Marion volunteers with us every day, serving on the till, sorting and steaming in the backroom, or whatever else is needed. Shop manager Becki said “Marion gives me so much support, not just by volunteering every day but with the knowledge she has about the shop and the needs of the local community.”
Fellow volunteer Rita said, “Marion is amazing, she has supported St Gemma’s tirelessly all day, 6 days a week whatever the weather for as long as I have been volunteering.”
We really appreciate our volunteer support and feel really proud to share this story with you. Thank you for everything you do Marion!
Like Marion, you may not have even thought about volunteering in a charity shop until someone mentions it to you or you read a story like this. To find out how you can get started, visit www.st-gemma.co.uk/volunteering.