A campaign to recruit extra charity shop volunteers has resulted in nearly a hundred new sign-ups.
The East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) We Need You initiative ran for a fortnight in January. It featured daily interviews with existing volunteers and eye-catching signage in the charity’s 44 shops, across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. As a result, 92 people have stepped forward and offered their services – taking the army of EACH Retail volunteers to nearly 1,000.
Ian Nicolson, EACH Director of Retail, said: “We’re thrilled with these figures and grateful to everyone who has come forward and offered their support. Ninety-two extra recruits is very impressive because, as I’ve said before, volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation. Without them, charity retail isn’t a viable operation. Volunteering is rewarding on so many levels. You get to work with a great bunch of people, be part of a loved charity shop and make a huge difference to the lives of the children we care for by helping the retail team raise such a significant amount of money. I’m so pleased this campaign resonated with the public and they felt compelled to step forward. We look forward to welcoming them to our team.”
In terms of figures, one of the big successes came at EACH’s shops in Unthank Road, Norwich recruiting nine new volunteers. Six people signed up at Dereham, five in Holt and four apiece in Diss and Poringland.
Speaking at the start of the campaign, Ian revealed that volunteer numbers were down 21% compared to figures pre-COVID. At one point it was 50%, although it still equates to just short of 200 volunteers.
To sign up or for more information about volunteering, head to www.each.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There are a host of roles available and the charity is still keen to hear from anyone who has time to spare, even if just a couple of hours a week.
Music maestro Barry Holden has admitted feeling “incredibly happy and proud” after raising just over £10,000 from the last of his hugely popular Norfolk festivals.
The 77-year-old has raised thousands of pounds for charities including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) by staging a series of Live Aid-style concerts in North Walsham.
The first was in 1986, inspired by Sir Bob Geldof’s global fundraiser, and another took place in January 2005, in the aftermath of the devastating Boxing Day tsunami. Barry’s gigs have since taken place every year bar two, because of Covid, but it was the end of an era when the last one was held at North Walsham Community Centre on Saturday, 28th May.
It was in aid of EACH and Addenbrooke's Teenagers Cancer Trust and both charities will receive £5,100.
Steely cyclists saddled up for a bumper biking challenge and raised more than £50,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
The charity’s popular Ride for Life event took place last weekend, with 32 people pedalling 200 miles through the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire countryside. Many more signed up for a one-day, 70-mile package, with 39 riding on Friday and 34 on both Saturday and Sunday. Between them, they raised a staggering £51,225 for EACH, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across East Anglia.
Events fundraiser Hannah Forbester said: “It was a huge success. “Everything went smoothly and everyone seemed to enjoy the experience. In terms of the amount raised, it’s an outstanding total. We were on around £45,000 by close of play on Thursday, so a further £6,000 came in while the cyclists were in action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We couldn’t be happier and there’s still more sponsorship money to come, so that figure will grow even more. We were also thrilled to get such high numbers taking part. Everyone bonded and enjoyed sharing the experience together. Little groups formed, depending on pace, and there was plenty of encouragement for each other along the way. People made a point of clapping others as they arrived at the rest stops. We’ve had lots of positive feedback since and I know people who did the three-day challenge enjoyed cycling alongside those taking part on individual days. They said it gave them a real injection of energy.”
More than 300 classic scooters from all over East Anglia blazed a spectacular trail during an Easter fundraiser in rural Norfolk.
The dazzling convoy organised by Norwich Scooter Collective visited The Nook, run by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) in Framingham Earl.
Kind-hearted riders gathered for pictures before handing over a cash donation of £1,600, in addition to toys, books and games for youngsters to enjoy.
A further donation is set to follow as the club have a St George’s Day ride planned on Sunday, 24th April.
The Easter fundraiser has become a long-standing tradition among the club’s members. They started their journey outside the Broadland District Council offices in Yarmouth Road, Norwich, and the impressive procession included classic Vespas and Lambrettas. They were joined by friends owning Volkswagen vans.
Determined Olive Duffield is back behind the counter at her favourite charity shop – a year after breaking her pelvis. The long-serving East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) volunteer, 82, was forced to take a year out after suffering her injury in early 2021. She also had a bout of shingles but was always determined to return to the shop in Long Stratton. She has been a regular fixture there for more than a quarter of a century and started volunteering in early 1995, working at the former shop that raised funds for the old Quidenham hospice.
Now she is back where she belongs, dutifully giving up two hours a week every Friday morning. “I’m as good as I’m going to be,” joked Olive, referring to her recent brushes with injury and illness. I never thought about not coming back – it was always something I wanted to do. I wanted to get back in the shop as soon as possible because it’s something I’ve always enjoyed. I don’t get to see many people so enjoy the chance to chat with customers. It gets me out and I like the sense of helping others. The more money we take the better, because of the charity we’re supporting. I’ve known many of our customers for years and seen children grow up, now coming into the shop with their own little ones. There have been so many changes but it’s something I continue to enjoy and would recommend to anyone.”
A kind-hearted nine-year-old raised nearly £2,500 after taking on a 25-mile charity bike ride in rural Norfolk. Ella-May Saunders, who lives in Jermyn Way, Tharston, completed the challenge for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
She cycled for three hours, with one quick pit stop, and was rightly proud of herself after raising an astonishing £2,473. Ella-May’s fundraiser was in memory of James Thorndyke, the baby son of a close family friend who died in February 2017.
James had Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and received care at EACH’s former Quidenham hospice. He died five days before his first birthday. His mum, Susie, is friends with Ella-May’s mum, Louise, and herself a successful fundraiser for the charity, having held two balls in 2018 and 2020 and donated just over £40,000.
Louise said: “We’re so proud of Ella-May. She didn't moan once, stuck to her task and completed the challenge with no problems at all. We only stopped once, for a quick bite to eat and drink in Bunwell. Other than that, she completed the route in one go, in three hours.”
Ella-May added: “It was tough but worth it in the end.”