NATIONAL healthcare charity Sue Ryder is on the lookout for Leeds residents wanting to make a difference in their local community to form new volunteer fundraising groups.

The charity, which runs Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley, provides expert palliative care, advice and support for people across Leeds who are living with life-limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families.

Catherine White, who lives in Horsforth, joined the charity’s Bramhope and Horsforth fundraising group after her husband was cared for at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice at the end of his life in 2020.

“I first became directly involved with Sue Ryder about five years ago when my husband was sadly diagnosed with terminal cancer,” she said. “Initially we had Sue Ryder Nurses from the community team come out to visit us at home, and then he spent his final week in the hospice.

“After he died, I was just so grateful for the amazing care and support they had given us – I don’t know what we would have done without them. It really made me think – what if this service wasn’t here for other people? You always think that things like this happen to other people, until it happens to you, and you realise just how valuable good palliative care is.”

In October 2020 Catherine decided to join her local fundraising group, which organises activities and supports events to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder.

She said: “I knew how much the charity relied on fundraising and I felt like I wanted to do something to give back. I wanted to make sure that other families had the same support we did.

“As a group we usually meet once every three months and since Covid restrictions have lifted we have been able to do several in-person activities such as bucket collections, hosting stalls at local fayres and helping out at Sue Ryder events such as the Starlight Hike in Otley.

“For me, having lost my husband, it was nice to be around like-minded people who understood that. However, you don’t have to have a personal connection to Sue Ryder to get involved – if you want to meet new people, do something worthwhile and have fun then I think you would find it really rewarding.”

Catherine is also keen to share how much support volunteers receive from Sue Ryder.

“All Sue Ryder volunteers are really valued and supported. You don’t do it for the appreciation, but it’s nice to feel part of something where volunteering is seen as a big part of hospice life and not just an add-on.

“The role is flexible and there is no specific time commitment – even if you just choose to volunteer for a couple of hours a month or help out at an event every now and again, it makes a difference and is so appreciated.”

The charity is now keen to hear from people across Leeds who would like to join an existing fundraising group or establish brand-new groups to organise and support fundraising activities.

Jo Stevens, Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, said: "Our fantastic local fundraising groups play a very important role in helping us to raise much-needed funds, and after a difficult few years, we need the help of our communities more than ever.

“We would love people who want to make new friends, have fun and help us to be there when it matters to come forward and join a fundraising group or start a new one in their area. All groups will be supported every step of the way by our fundraising team."

For more information on joining or setting up a fundraising group, or other ways you can support the hospice, email joanne.stevens@sueryder.org.

For more information about the services provided by Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, visit: sueryder.org/wheatfields.