Meet Bill Hearn – Very Special Kids volunteer
September 14, 2015
Meet Bill Hearn, 68. Bill has been volunteering on the Very Special Kids Piggy Bank Appeal for the past 17 years.
Why do you continue to volunteer for the Piggy Bank Appeal?
Not only is volunteering fun, but you are exposed to a very generous side of humanity. When you explain to people the support given to families by Very Special Kids, they respond in great way.
I am inspired by the work of Very Special Kids Patron Sister Margaret Noone and the passion and compassion she has for supporting children with life-threatening conditions and their families.
Assisting children with life-threatening conditions and their families is so important. The trails are vital in raising awareness of Very Special Kids as well as raising money to support families. Not only does the public need to know about the important work of Very Special Kids, but families need to know where they can access assistance when they need it.
What do you most enjoy about volunteering?
I enjoy meeting the families supported by Very Special Kids and seeing the support they receive not only for their child, but for the whole family. They are the real heroes. It warms my heart to know the tiny bit I contribute is making a contribution to their lives.
I also get a lot of fun out of volunteering. The teams you go on trails with are filled with joy and life and I enjoy meeting other volunteers with different life experiences. I have made hundreds of friends. Some of the people I have been on trails with have become very good friends.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?
Recognising there is not only a real need, but a real opportunity to volunteer is all you really need. You’ll find that your involvement makes as much a difference to yourself as it makes to Very Special Kids and the families and children it supports.
I would also say that volunteering is a good way to keep the grey matter working and a smile on your face. I don’t know of many other ways to help families and have so much fun at once. If you don’t like fun, be careful because you are going to be exposed to a lot of it.
Volunteering is an integral part of the service delivery and fundraising model of Very Special Kids. We are proud that more than 720 volunteers generously give their time to support families of children with life-threatening conditions.