Meet #TeamDevine: Debbie Tonkinson, our Volunteer Development Manager

Each week we want to tell you more about the extraordinary people that make up our Alexander Devine team.

This week it is the person who has a very special job indeed, looking after a very special group of people that are invaluable to us – our amazing volunteers!

This is Debbie Tonkinson and she is our Volunteer Development Manager. She told us how she has been reaching out to our 153 volunteers, keeping them connected with what we have been up to and how our volunteers are more determined than ever to find ways to support us:

We are very lucky to have over 150 volunteers that do amazing things for our charity. We really could not do without them and their time that they generously give us. Their dedication to us is even more evident during these uncertain times, when although they are not able to volunteer, they are determined to do all they can to continue to help us.

 

So many of them have been trying to find new ways to promote awareness of our children’s hospice service, support the Alexander Devine team and raise vital funds. They have been putting posters up around their communities, sharing our appeal amongst friends and family, sewing masks for our carers, hosting virtual fitness sessions, virtual busking and running online quiz nights! They really are an extraordinary group of people.

 

Although we are forced apart during the lockdown, in some ways we are all closer than ever. I hope I have been lifting their spirits as much as they have been lifting mine during this time of isolation through our regular phone calls, virtual coffees, video calls and even poetry sessions. I look forward to the time when we can all come back together.

 

 

 

Need our help?

The word hospice should not seem scary and getting support from us doesn’t have to mean a child’s death is imminent. Helping to enrich the lives of the children and their families is at the heart of our service, our end of life and bereavement support is just a part of what we do.

Our children’s hospice service covers the whole of Berkshire and into surrounding counties. If you think your child may be eligible for our services, please do get in touch.

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One of the greatest and most precious gifts our charity receives is time 💙💛We are fortunate to have 155 amazing volunteers who collectively donate around 2,000 hours of their time each year. Without their vital support, we would not be there for children and families that need us. This #VolunteersWeek we will be celebrating what inspires our volunteers to make their unique contributions to our charity, whether at the hospice or out in the community. If our volunteers inspire you to gift your time, you can learn more about volunteering with our charity here: www.alexanderdevine.org/volunteer#InspiringVolunteers #localcharity ... See MoreSee Less
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It was lovely to welcome Jon Davey, Community Champion from Tesco in Dedworth Road Windsor, to our children’s hospice last week with a very generous donation of books for our next children’s book sale. We are so grateful for the ongoing support that Jon and his team give to Alexander Devine. Their kindness makes such a difference to our charity 💙💛Tesco #CommunityChampion ... See MoreSee Less
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With 3 weeks until #ChildrensHospiceWeek, will you help us #RockTheBlue?!🙋‍♀️ Sign up to receive your #RockTheBlue fundraising pack💡 Plan your blue themed activity or challenge💙 Raise money and make a difference to local children with life- limiting and life-threatening conditions 👉 Visit www.alexanderdevine.org/rocktheblue or email our friendly fundraising team for help with your BLUE-ming brilliant ideas: fundraising@alexanderdevine.org #fundraisingfun #localcharity #childrenshospiceservice ... See MoreSee Less
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Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service is the operating name of Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 5757493

Copyright © 2019 Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service. UK Registered Charity No. 1118947.