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Volunteering


I AM a regular reader of Hear All Sides and enjoy the cut and thrust of the debate. The published letters from some regular contributors, however, are often on similar repetitive issues, and their tone is negative and divisive.

I would like to strike a more positive note and flag up the good work done by the many volunteers who give their time and energy to support local charities and community groups.

I highlight the work done, for example, by volunteers at Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland which I have witnessed at first-hand. Doing a wide range of tasks and utilising their life skills, they provide an important service, in a selfless manner.

The patients benefit from and enjoy the happy caring atmosphere that volunteers help to provide.

The personal rewards in volunteering are great and I encourage all those with time on their hands and in good health, who might be benefiting from our welfare state, to give something back to those less fortunate.

John Crick, Bishop Auckland.

Comments(15)

Super steve says...
2:21pm Thu 18 Mar 10

I strongly support and applaud the sterling work done by the staff and volunteers of the Butterwick hospice group. But with respectful question

Whilst my dad was recieving superb palative care from everyone at the Butterwick hospice behind North Tees, in the days leading up to his death from cancer, He kept asking me and the carers the same question.

"Why do I have to rely on a charity to get decent care in my last days ?"

We took him out of North tees in disgust at the level of care, quality of food and appauling standard of hygiene at North Tees, we first took him home but then managed to get him into the hospice where the kindness, care and consideration were world class, Thats where he passed away with care and dignity.

Would anyone care to tell me why my dad and so many others have to rely on a charity for decent care?

*shakes head slowly* says...
3:45pm Thu 18 Mar 10

Err...let me think - is the answer something to do with Labour..???

Do you sometimes wonder if YOU are one of the repetitive contributors the writer was talking about?

The third sector provides all sorts of services which NO GOVERNMENT ON EARTH could afford to fund if they were withdrawn. Question answered. Move on.

Super steve says...
4:13pm Thu 18 Mar 10

*shakes head slowly* wrote:
Err...let me think - is the answer something to do with Labour..??? Do you sometimes wonder if YOU are one of the repetitive contributors the writer was talking about? The third sector provides all sorts of services which NO GOVERNMENT ON EARTH could afford to fund if they were withdrawn. Question answered. Move on.
Well err yes we can see that thinking is not one of your strong points.

Your dead right, anything bad or mismanaged can normally be attributed to Labour. And even with the hundreds of billions Labour wastes on the NHS they still let people die without comfort, kindness nor dignity.

*shakes head slowly* says...
4:20pm Thu 18 Mar 10

Weak reply, ss.
Well done on souring the chaps letter about volunteers though. *slow clap*

Adam Walker says...
11:38pm Thu 18 Mar 10

I volunteer to pick up rubbish from the woods near where I live on an almost daily basis. My fear however is that when we are forced to pay for the amount of rubbish we throw away will I have to pay more because I pick up other peoples? When I joined the Army a Regimental Seargent Major once said "never volunteer for anything". His were empty words and he was a fool. I get a lot of enjoyment out of giving up my time, not only to clear the woods but to help others in any way I can.

David Lacey says...
8:25am Fri 19 Mar 10

Adam

When I took rubbish collected from the nature reserve to the recycling centre I was advised to outsort it and not dump it in the skip. The staff there sit around smoking and listening to pop music. I advised them what to do!

Super steve says...
9:08am Fri 19 Mar 10

I dont have that much free time, but what I try to do is when I take the dog out for walks along the Castle eden Walkway and the old Sedgefield road is to pick up a carrier bags worth of rubbish as I go about and put it in the bin near the car park, Its not much but its something.

billysaid says...
4:15pm Fri 19 Mar 10

i dont do anything,,and i will never volunteer to do anything for nothing !!. apart from sit on my "esra" all day.

colinburns says...
4:50pm Sun 21 Mar 10

I have more respect for people who give their most valuable assett, their time, to help others without asking in return than I do for the people who ease their own conscience by writing out a cheque (yes you duncan) and Nick, this psycophantic admiration you have for SILLYSAID is bizzarre considering he is damned, rightly so, by 99% of the tax paying people on these pages. What "pearls of wisdom" does" it" actually contribute? All he ever posts is that he's on a/ benefits, b/ more benefits, c/ he's applying for even more benefits, so what is there exactly to applaud about it Nick, please enlighten me?

miketually says...
4:48pm Mon 22 Mar 10

I AM a regular reader of the comments on the Northern Echo website and enjoy the cut and thrust of the debate. The published comments from some regular contributors, however, are often on similar repetitive issues, and their tone is negative and divisive.
.
:)

darlo-rhino says...
12:59pm Wed 24 Mar 10

I like Billy's comments. He always makes me laugh. I might be missing something here because I feel many contributors know each other but I'm sure he isnt really what he says he is biut if he is I'm looking forward to a healthy tax hike to allow him to have more soon so he doesnt have to suffer the inconvenience of working and can maintain his lifestyle.

colinburns says...
2:24pm Wed 24 Mar 10

darlo-rhino wrote:
I like Billy's comments. He always makes me laugh. I might be missing something here because I feel many contributors know each other but I'm sure he isnt really what he says he is biut if he is I'm looking forward to a healthy tax hike to allow him to have more soon so he doesnt have to suffer the inconvenience of working and can maintain his lifestyle.
You must be easily pleased because its comments only ever revolve around benefits and not working yaaawn boring, and if he is "just joking" then its even more boring because it never changes which, to me, shows his lack of imagination and insight :)

colinburns says...
6:54pm Wed 24 Mar 10

Nick Scott wrote:
darlo-rhino, I too appreciate Billy's repartee, and indeed don't begrudge him a penny of the benefit he's on. I think I'll start a Facebook group to see truly how much support he has. Keeping on topic however, I'm sure Billy would make an excellent volunteer, he just needs to find his niche.
Answer the question then, what "pearls of wisdom" does he contribute? Actually don't bother, anytime spent talking about that sponger is time wasted!

*shakes head slowly* says...
9:53pm Wed 24 Mar 10

Do you not find that billys comments are are often on similar repetitive issues, and their tone is negative and divisive, though?

colinburns says...
8:42am Thu 25 Mar 10

*shakes head slowly* wrote:
Do you not find that billys comments are are often on similar repetitive issues, and their tone is negative and divisive, though?
Wasting your time on them shs, I guess they appreciate sillysaid because they think on his low level?


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