CLAN feels benefit of volunteer drive as it marks Volunteers’ Week
A leading cancer charity is beginning to reap the rewards from its recent volunteer drive as people from the north and north-east continue to show their support to its cause.
CLAN Cancer Support launched its ‘Volunteer Now’ campaign in January, which was aimed at recruiting volunteers for a variety of different roles across its nine bases in the north-east of Scotland.
The campaign saw nearly 50 people come forward and express an interest in becoming a volunteer with the charity. Nearly 20 from this group have now either completed their training or are about to commence the programme, with a proportion already undertaking volunteering duties such as supporting clients, helping with CLAN’s children’s group and at various fundraising events across the communities.
Those who eventually go on to become a volunteer with CLAN will join over 400 others across the north-east of Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland, giving in excess of 40,000 hours of help to the charity per year. Despite this, CLAN is still on the search for support volunteers within north Aberdeenshire and those interested are being encouraged to come forward and express their interest.
Jane Adams, CLAN’s volunteer co-ordinator, said: “CLAN is extremely privileged in that over the years, the level of support we’ve had from people in the north and north-east has been fantastic and this was reflected in the amount of people who came forward in January.
“It’s great to see people from this now through their training and in their specific role but despite this, we still have a number of positions for support volunteers in north Aberdeenshire available and it would be great to hear from those interested in getting involved with CLAN.”
CLAN’s appreciation of its volunteers is timely as this week (June 2-8) sees The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) launch its volunteer’s week for 2014 – seven days of activities and events throughout the UK to celebrate and recognise local volunteers throughout the country’s communities.
CLAN has recently recognised the exceptional work of three of its own shop volunteers by awarding the Saltire Award to mark 100 hours of voluntary service. Christina McAllan, Zoe Rozario and Kirsten Knight have all received the award after completing work at the charity’s Chapel Street, Rosemount and Ballater shops.
Jane added: “We were delighted to hand over the Saltire Award to Christina, Zoe and Kirsten and I’d like to thank them for their continued support of CLAN. All three volunteered while undertaking either university studies or as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award and they are a great example of how both the charity and volunteer can benefit from the experience.”
For further information on the volunteering opportunities within CLAN, please contact Jane Adams at CLAN on jane.adams@clanhouse.org or visit www.clanhouse.org for more details.
CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness. Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org
