10 years of dedication to Thames Hospice

After 30 years working for Sainsbury’s, Bally retired as a Customer Service Manager and began thinking about what she wanted to do next. She wanted to give something back to her local community, and ideally keep it very local.

“I wanted to do something that made me feel I was doing something useful, and meet people,” she said.

She chose to volunteer with Thames Hospice, and what started as a simple decision has developed into a 10-year commitment.

Bally began volunteering in the Hospice Homestore in Tinkers Lane. After some time there, she wanted to be more involved within the Hospice itself and moved to Pine Lodge. She then became a receptionist, welcoming visitors and supporting the team. When the Hospice opened its Bray site, she moved across and continued her volunteering there.

She has since become a familiar face around the Hospice. Bally added: “I joined the Thames Hospice choir when it started five years ago and have remained part of it ever since, with rehearsals at the Hospice on a Monday night. I occasionally play the ukulele for the choir too when a change from the piano is needed.”

At 70, Bally decided to challenge herself by doing a skydive to raise funds for the Hospice, despite never having done anything like it before. She said she felt she needed to do it while she was still fit and healthy, “as you never know what is around the corner.”

We are so grateful to have volunteers like Bally supporting us, giving their time across a range of roles and activities.