27 Jan 2023 Community

Young fundraiser following in her family’s footsteps

Having first volunteered for the charity when she was just 16, Francesca and her family have a long association with The Kirkwood. And the 30-year-old is now inspiring the next generation to find out more about the vital work we do.

Long time supporter, Francesca Wills, has been part of The Kirkwood family for the majority of her adult life. After deciding to follow in her mum’s footsteps and become a volunteer at 16, Francesca’s four-year-old daughter, Georgie, is now discovering all about our charity too.

Francesca and Georgie

 

Francesca’s grandma was cared for by The Kirkwood in the early 1990s after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, and sadly died on our In-Patient Unit. The care she received was the driving force behind Francesca's decision to volunteer for us.

Fran’s mum had given her time as a Weekend Volunteer Receptionist at our hospice in Dalton and Francesca decided to follow in her footsteps, first joining The Kirkwood team when she was a teenager.

On getting involved with The Kirkwood, Francesca said: "My mum worked on the reception desk and I used to go with her. I used to take the tea trolley around for the patients.

“There was then a weekend catering assistant role that came up. I got the job and cooked meals on an evening for the patients. I left that job to go to University, but whilst there I volunteered in the shop in the middle of Huddersfield. I did that until I graduated in 2015.

"I went on to train to be a therapist and counsellor and did some work with Seamus, who leads the Counselling team with The Kirkwood. I have volunteered as a therapist at The Kirkwood for the last two years and just finished my most recent stint at the end of last year."

On what she thinks about The Kirkwood, she said: "I have loved volunteering for The Kirkwood over many years and doing the different roles. The charity is so important to the local community. I know that first hand, but the work it does helps so many people in so many different ways.

“I am back at work now and so have less time to volunteer but I will certainly continue to support The Kirkwood in whatever way I can. I would encourage anyone to volunteer for The Kirkwood."

Back in December, Francesca's four-year-old daughter, Georgie, took part in our Reindeer Run, a festive fundraiser that sees hundreds of school children donning antlers and having fun as they raise money to support the patients and families in our care. It was a timely opportunity for Francesca to explain the importance of charity and talk to her daughter about the many ways The Kirkwood help patients and families across Kirklees.

Young fundraiser, Georgie

 

Francesca explained: "Georgie was buzzing when she came out from school. All the kids had their reindeer antlers on and we got a school newsletter and she was in that. They did a sponsored run around the playground and she really enjoyed it. I was proud of her because it was the first thing she'd done in aid of The Kirkwood.

"I haven’t delved too deep in terms of information explaining what The Kirkwood do as a charity, but she understands I lost a relative when I was just 12 and that The Kirkwood cared for her. She knows The Kirkwood cares for people when they are poorly.

"I think it's hugely important that children understand what The Kirkwood do. I obviously had an understanding with my auntie dying at The Kirkwood when I was just 12, and my grandma also passing away there whilst being cared for. With my mum always talking about how important The Kirkwood is from me being young, I guess it was natural that I would have a tight bond with the charity too."

If you’d like to find out more about volunteering with The Kirkwood, click here or give our friendly Volunteer Services team a call on: 01484 557 900