Loyal volunteers are the lifeblood of Hospice North Shore’s renowned shops. During Volunteer Awareness Week (21-27 June), the charity took the opportunity to thank the 769 volunteers who make possible the free services it provides.
Sue and Murray Picot - volunteers at the charity’s Ellice Road store, Warehouse and Clearance Outlet in Glenfield - are a great example of the joy of giving back. “It’s always lots of fun,” says Sue. “Everyone has had someone in their lives that links them to Hospice…there’s something very therapeutic about being here.”
“People like Sue and Murray are so important to Hospice North Shore”, says Volunteer Services Manager Janet Hope. “We are so grateful for the time they give to us, which makes it possible for us to provide our services to people who are dying and to their families.”
Tuesday is Sue and Murray’s regular day to volunteer at Hospice’s Ellice Road operation and it’s a busy one. The truck has been out on Monday visiting the eight other Hospice retail stores on the North Shore, bringing back a variety of clothing and other donations to be sorted.
Sue can be found going through donated clothing and, according to Murray, she “can cut through it pretty quickly”. With seven years’ experience under her belt and a special interest in antiques and bric-a-brac, Sue has become expert at spotting the goods that will sell well in the shops; those that can go to the clearance area or the goods that need to be packed into bales to be sold on in bulk. She loves the challenge of identifying unusual items. “Every day is interesting; you come across a mystery item you can’t identify,” she says. “But in the end someone can usually tell you what it is and it’s a new discovery.”
Sue tells us it was the welcoming atmosphere that drew her to volunteer for the store, back when it was based in Forrest Hill. “I liked the atmosphere amongst the volunteers, everyone said ‘hi’ and recognised me, it really felt like you belonged” says Sue. “The shop managers are wonderful at giving us feedback and thanking us for our time every day that we come in”. It’s that welcome that keeps her coming back each week.
Murray is a relative ‘new boy’. Encouraged by Sue to come and help during a busy period at the beginning of 2014, he too is now a committed member of the Ellice Road crew. “There was a tremendous amount of donations to sort through after the New Year and a lot of people were away. I had retired from my job as a bank manager a few years earlier and, although I had always had a big community focus, I felt I could slip into the habit of staying at home and not doing much.”
Sue describes Murray as “a very willing man who loves to help other people.” At the Ellice Road warehouse he is earning a name for sorting out the donated electrical appliances: assessing which items can be tested for safety and sold, those that cannot be sold but can be recycled or sold for their component parts. Other than that he describes himself as a Jack of All Trades; happily helping out where needed.
Married for 37 years, Sue and Murray are the picture of a couple giving back to the community in which they live. They encourage anyone who has a bit of time to think about getting involved. “Volunteering for Hospice feels important” says Sue, “but there’s always time for a cup of tea and a chat and there’s always lots of laughter at Ellice Road,” says Sue.
Hospice North Shore has 9 retail outlets across the North Shore. Visit their website for a store near you.
The stores play a crucial role in the charity’s fundraising to offer its free services to people who are dying and the people who love them.
July 2015
If you would like to volunteer in one of Hospice North Shore’s shops – or in another part of Hospice’s service – please contact the Volunteer Services department on 09 485 3581. Or check out our current vacancies.
