26 Feb 2026 Volunteer News

Cummins volunteers make a powerful difference for The Kirkwood in 2025

Cummins employees have once again demonstrated the power of corporate volunteering, contributing an incredible 306 hours across 65 volunteering events in support of The Kirkwood during 2025. Their commitment has seen teams lend their time and skills across a wide range of activities, supporting hospice services, charity shops, and essential behind the scenes operations across Kirklees. 

Throughout the year, 65 Cummins employees volunteered regularly in The Kirkwood charity shops across the region, helped in the Mirfield Sands Mill warehouse, and supported the gardening team at the hospice site in Dalton, helping to maintain the hospice’s award winning gardens. These figures do not include one-off initiatives, such as tree recycling projects, where Cummins also provided vital resources and vehicle support to assist the charity on a daily basis.

Michelle Duck, the Huddersfield Community Involvement Team Leader at Cummins, highlighted the organisation’s long standing commitment to corporate responsibility and volunteering, she said: “Cummins has been involved with corporate responsibility throughout its history, long recognising the value of volunteering and the positive impact that it has on our local communities and also on our environment. We are very proud of the impact our employees make and are delighted that 65 employees volunteered to support The Kirkwood in 2025. Together they generated an incredible 306 volunteering hours, working in various The Kirkwood charity shops across Kirklees and helping to maintain the award winning garden at the hospice itself.”

For many Cummins employees, volunteering is driven by a personal connection and a strong sense of purpose: “Employees feel a huge sense of satisfaction, knowing that they can help to enable The Kirkwood to deliver its critical services, often employees have a personal story or connection, as do so many people across Kirklees.”

Volunteering across different areas of the charity has given Cummins employees a deeper understanding of the breadth of The Kirkwood’s work: “Seeing firsthand how many different services and activities at The Kirkwood come together to support people and their families across Kirklees has given our employees a much deeper appreciation of The Kirkwood’s impact on its community. Whether volunteering in one of the charity shops, helping in the warehouse at Mirfield, or supporting the gardening team at the hospice in Dalton, each experience highlights just how much dedication and care goes into every part of The Kirkwood’s work.”

Michelle also reflected on the vital role The Kirkwood plays within the local community: “The Kirkwood is incredibly important to the people of Kirklees. The charity provides vital care, comfort, and support to individuals and families facing life-limiting illnesses. Beyond hospice care, The Kirkwood’s wider work in the community, its network of shops, and its bereavement and support services all play a crucial role in improving quality of life across Kirklees.”

The impact of Cummins’ volunteering goes beyond the hours given, helping to strengthen essential services for patients and families: “Knowing that our volunteering contributes to improving the experiences of patients and their families gives us a strong sense of purpose and reinforces the value of our partnership with The Kirkwood. It is rewarding to see how our volunteering, whether it’s working in one of the charity shops, assisting in the warehouse, or helping maintain the hospice grounds, benefits the community.”

With many employees having personal experiences of The Kirkwood’s care, volunteering continues to be a meaningful and popular choice: “Many of our employees have a personal connection to The Kirkwood, with some having experienced the charity’s support for a friend or family member. As a result, volunteering with The Kirkwood remains a popular and meaningful choice for our teams. Our employees take pride in giving back and helping to enhance the quality of life for people across Kirklees, as well as supporting the smooth running of The Kirkwood’s essential services.”

As Cummins looks ahead, their continued enthusiasm reflects the strength of the partnership: “Their continued enthusiasm demonstrates the strength of this partnership, and Cummins is committed to continuing to support The Kirkwood.”

Through their time, teamwork, and dedication, Cummins volunteers have played a vital role in helping The Kirkwood continue delivering compassionate care and support to people and families across Kirklees.