Muriel Bridges and June Winter volunteer in our Framlingham shop, and the bubbly ladies, who have been friends for 55 years, act and speak as one – and come as a pair.
Both ladies have been supporting the Hospice for 30 years in many different ways – they even still have the letter from Tom Savage, first chairman of the Hospice, sent to them in 1985 thanking them for their first donation towards the appeal to build the hospice.
Muriel said: “As soon as the shop opened in 2011, June and I offered our services.
As long-term Framlingham residents we’re actively involved in the local community and we wanted to help the shop become an integral part of our community.
“We work out the back sorting donated items and we love it – we have such a laugh!” June added: “We’ve been supporting the hospice since before it even opened, and giving up our time to volunteer is just another way we can continue to help.”
Shop Manager, Rachail Pollard says of June and Muriel: “They are joined at the hip wherever they go, so I would count them as one. They are a real character together and come as a package!”
The ladies began fundraising in 1984 before the hospice was built. Between them, they still raise between £500-£600 a year and remain keen spotters of local opportunities, using their considerable local knowledge, experience and contacts to help them.
Rachael added: “They have held charity evenings; business nights; teas at three; cake stalls; tombolas, Light up a Life on the hill; sold Christmas cards; Christmas puddings; run a stall at Vintage cars at the Castle; knitted, sewed, baked, made bunting – you name it, they have done it and still doing to this day.
“They must be some of the longest, most dedicated volunteers.
“There are not many like them! They have so many stories to tell of all they have done, it would take me a book to tell all.”
Volunteering is a great way to meet people and make new friends – so if you don’t already volunteer with your best friend, why not start volunteering and make a new friend.
Find out more about volunteering on our volunteer vacancies page.