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David Pearl writes (Nov 2007):
"I was given a week’s notice to clear my diary for ten days, sort myself out and pack a bag that included a pair of swimming trunks. When the RDF crew picked me up from the office I had no idea where I was going. It turned out to be a three-bed semi in Portsmouth with a bathroom with no lock on the door – very strange. I had to live on the state pension for a week.
Working at the hospital
The next day I waited half an hour for a bus which took me to the Queen Alexandra Hospital. I’m embarrassed to say that I actually didn’t know that so many people worked – and I don’t mean just the odd hour here and there – for nothing in hospitals.
The lady in charge of volunteers sent me off to help Carol, a very disabled woman on crutches and a permanent morphine drip. Carol spends her days feeding patients who are unable to manage themselves, so I helped her help them.
Different strokes
I also worked with stroke victims in a swimming pool, one of the best therapies for them. Different Strokes [an organisation for younger stroke survivors] is run entirely by volunteers, hires the pool once a week for £9 and they were struggling to find the money - imagine.
The Macmillan Centre
Then there was the Macmillan Centre where people from a cosmetics company helped women cancer sufferers apply make-up. Some of them were nearing the end but they were laughing and joking and the make-up made them feel good. I can’t begin to explain how I felt. I helped a group of disabled people on a trip to the Mary Rose, wheeled a tea trolley round the wards and made beds.
My experience
My eyes were opened to the problems suffered by a whole group of people that I would never have come across if I hadn’t taken part in the programme but it was the volunteers – all those people working so hard for no personal reward, who really touched me with their commitment and selfless dedication.
At the end, I decided who I wanted to help. I don’t want to list the details but I hope that I’ve made a difference, both to some individuals and some organisations. I’ve had letters that have brought tears to my eyes.
I’m glad I did it. It was hard in some ways - not being able to talk about myself openly and seeing so much suffering - but I had some fun and met some fantastic, inspiring people. I’m not new to charity but being hands-on is different and it’s changed my outlook".
Intro | About David | David's testimonial
