As part of Volunteers Week 2017, we’d like to introduce one of our amazing volunteers here at the Hospice. His name is Abid and this is his story…
I didn’t know anything about you until one day, when I received a call from the taxi office asking me to pick up a passenger who wanted to go to Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice in Selly Oak.
When I picked up the lady, she told me about herself and how she was going to visit her husband who had been diagnosed with cancer and didn’t have long to live. She said this was a very nice hospice where they looked after her husband very well, and not only her husband but they care for anyone who has a terminal illness.
I asked the lady, “Who gives them the funding to look after all the patients?” and she said “Me and you and other generous people”.
Then I thought, we looked after my mother when she lost her eyesight due to high blood sugar levels, so why not look after others as well who need us. I checked out the Hospice website and offered to be a volunteer in July of last year.
The first campaign I got involved with was the Big Brum Bucket Collection and since then I’ve fundraised in Harborne, Edgbaston, West Bromwich and in the City Centre. At the Jingle Bell Jog and the Rugby Ramble, I sold £230 of raffle tickets in two days.
All of the events were lovely! The Jingle Bell Jog was a great event where I had lots of fun and met lots of people who welcomed me and encouraged me. I’ve also done some leafleting in different areas to promote the Hospice’s events.
I would like to thank all of the Hospice Team who have treated me like a family member and I ensure you I will work hard to raise more and more funds for the Hospice.
I learned what humanity is from Birmingham St Mary’s and the determination to work for humanity rather than colour, culture, creed or religion; first of all you have to be a human being.
Thank you Abid for sharing your story with us and for all of your support with our fundraising events, you’re a star.
If you’ve been inspired by Abid and would like to join our fundraising events team, please visit www.birminghamhospice.org.uk/events-volunteer!
