CF team member praised for volunteering impact

A member of our education team has been recognised with a special award for her commitment and contribution to a local charity.

Gemma Holland, our AQA and Attendance Lead has volunteered for St Elizabeth Hospice for 12 years, and earlier this month, was presented with a ‘Room to Reward’ award as an ‘unsung hero’ in recognition of her selfless contribution and commitment to the charity. Through the awards, volunteers like Gemma are treated to a stay at a hotel to thank them for their ongoing efforts.

Ipswich’s St Elizabeth Hospice on Foxhall Road is based near the CF Group headquarters, and provides valuable care for adults with progressive and incurable illness in the community, in their own home or in the hospice across Ipswich and the Waveney area. They also have a young adult service, Zest, which supports young adults aged 14+.

Gemma used to work for the hospice in its fundraising team and fell in love with the charity, so signed up to become a volunteer when she moved on from her fundraising role.

She volunteered in the in patient unit, supporting relatives visiting patients, whilst also spending time with the patients themselves. She also volunteered at events, and two years ago she began volunteering for the young adult service, helping with their youth club drop-in centre. She continues to fundraise and is also an ambassador, speaking at groups and events about the work of the charity to encourage further support.

Since signing up as a volunteer, Gemma has raised almost £12,000.

She says: “It was such an honour to receive the award, but I didn’t expect it and don’t feel I need to be recognised.

“I fell in love with the charity because of its care, compassion, its ethos and everything it represents. They support patients and families so well and I truly believe that end of life care deserves as much love, respect and dedication as the care we receive at the start of life.

“It’s fantastic to have been able to bring together my work with CF and my work for the hospice through CF’s sponsorship of the ‘Hop to it!’ Wild in Art trail and it means the world. I’m really thrilled and touched that the directors at CF and everyone involved has got on board and want to help and support what we do.

“I’d encourage everyone to find out more about the hospice and see if there’s any small way you can help them. It costs £12 million to run its services each year and 70% of this has to be generated by fundraising. Anything we can do to help is so gratefully received.”