3 Feb 2023 Volunteer News

Happy Birthday George!

The Kirkwood rely on a huge volunteer community to help us Support Life. They are the lifeblood of our charity and a vital part of our movement. It is only thanks to their dedication, hard work and belief in our mission that we continue to be here for local people when they need it most.

As dedicated volunteer gardener, George Chambers, reaches the grand old age of 90 he is continuing to prove that age is just a number.

One of our longest serving volunteers, George is a passionate gardener and a huge part of The Kirkwood family. So it was only right that as he turned 90, many of our team came together at the hospice in Dalton to wish him a very happy birthday!

George was born in 1933 and grew up in a close-knit mining village where the community look after one another. Kindness and compassion flowed throughout every household. George has travelled through his life with these values at the very heart of everything he does – and he brought them into our movement over three decades ago.

George Chambers celebrates a very special birthday with friends from across The Kirkwood movement

 

During his childhood, George witnessed the kindness of community spirit first-hand. If a neighbour was to unfortunately fall ill, they were looked after by members of their family, friends and the community. 

George explains: “I was brought up in a mining village, if someone was ill, their relatives or friends would sit up all night with them. If they were weak, people would make them a beef tea to keep their strength up, and when someone died all the neighbours would keep their front window curtains drawn until after the funeral as a mark of respect.” 

First volunteering for The Kirkwood in 1987 George has seen The Kirkwood grow and the Dalton site physically alter. He remains proud to be part of The Kirkwood community.

“I think that in our modern society, which has changed vastly from the one in which I grew up during the 1940s, The Kirkwood offers people vital support at times of need. It would be nice to think that my efforts and those of all the other volunteers help to relieve that stress and worry on people’s lives. We put in lots of hard work every year to make it a wonderful place.”

In the video below, George talks about why he finds volunteering for The Kirkwood so special and how he has carried a strong sense of community values with him throughout his life.

George is our longest standing gardening volunteer, having devoted the last three and a half decades to our movement. And he continues to fulfill his volunteer gardening duties at the tender age of 90, helping our gardening team to maintain and develop the beautiful environment for our patients and their families to enjoy.

Despite his grand age, George doesn't intend to retire any time soon, and is pleased to see the garden thriving with life and beauty whilst retaining its tranquil atmosphere. George is determined to continue volunteering for The Kirkwood for as long as he can and hopes to reach 40 years as a volunteer. 

He said: “I am 90 and I have no intention of retiring as a volunteer, I don’t think The Kirkwood gives a badge for 35 years, so I am aiming for the 40 year one!

“I am pleased to see the way the garden has developed over the years. It is much smaller now because of the extensions to the building, but it is still an area of calm, it is good to be a member of a happy and well organised gardening team. The gardening volunteers put hundreds of hours a year into the garden, and it shows. 

“I would encourage everyone who works at or visits The Kirkwood to visit the garden. It offers an area of peace and beauty which can help to relieve stress. I will always encourage patients and visitors to enjoy its tranquility. 

Commenting on George’s amazing service to The Kirkwood, Chris Newbery, our HR and Volunteer Services Manager said: "We are truly humbled and inspired by George’s story of voluntary service and dedication. From everyone connected with The Kirkwood, past and present, we’d like to wish him a very happy 90th birthday.

“We’d also like to thank George for his devotion to The Kirkwood. He has played a vital part in our movement for over three decades, helping to make sure that compassion and care remain at the heart of everything we do."

If you would like to join George and the volunteering community to Support Life in Kirklees, get in touch with our friendly Volunteer Services team on: 01484 557 900 or email: volunteer@thekirkwood.org.uk