Volunteer Don has been a familiar face at The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre for around ten years now, as he originally used to come with his wife, who was a visitor. She sadly died four years ago, but Don had become used to coming along to the Centre, so continued to pop in.
“Pickering really helped my wife during that time, through both therapies and the interaction she had with others in the Centre,” he says. “Earlier this year, I was asked if I’d like to become a volunteer and I was very happy to say ‘yes’. The Centre did so much to help my wife and has supported me over the years too, so if I can contribute something myself, then I’m very happy to do so.”
Don comes in when he’s needed and volunteers on different days.
“I enjoy talking to visitors and we chat about all sorts of things – today it was about holidays,” Don explains. “It’s good to see the change in somebody when they walk through the door to when they leave.”
Caroline is keen to point out that Don’s been really helpful in another way too – as Pickering’s ‘unofficial’ handyman!
“That’s true, I’ve repaired all sorts of things during my time here – from wobbly chairs to doors which have got a bit stuck,” he says with a smile.