THE call has gone out for volunteers to help run one of Oxford’s best-loved charities.

To mark Volunteer Week, which runs until Thursday, volunteers at East Oxford children and young adults’ hospice Helen & Douglas House have spoken about why they give up their time free of charge.

Author Tom Lloyd volunteers in the staff and volunteer cafe at the hospice one day a week.

The 33-year-old lives in Oxford and his published books include The Storm Caller and The Twilight Herald.

Mr Lloyd said: “I was looking for something that would get me out from behind the computer and the made-up world in my head and be around people.

“A close friend of mine has a daughter with a life-shortening condition, so I have heard of the benefits of respite care firsthand.

“The staff and volunteers at Helen & Douglas House are a very welcoming group from various walks of life, so it’s a pleasure to see them each week and to be useful to a charity that’s doing such good work.”

Roland Sparling, 61, from Abingdon, helps out as a volunteer driver, receptionist and administrator.

After retiring early on medical grounds, he wanted to find something positive to do.

He said: “I regard volunteering at Helen & Douglas House as the definitive hobby.

“I love doing it and get a great deal of satisfaction from it.”

Rob Paige, 47, of Wantage, started helping out with the charity’s eBay business in July 20111.

For him it was a way back into work after being unemployed and on incapacity benefit.

He said: “Since I started volunteering I have been a much more positive person.

“I feel that I’m contributing to something that’s better than any job I’ve had in the past, something that can have a real impact and this gives me a sense of pride I didn’t realise was missing before.”

The charity is particularly seeking volunteers to help staff a new shop in Rose Hill, and to man events including Summertown Stars Football Tournament on June 17 and a family fun day at St Gregory the Great School, Cricket Road, on July 8.

There are 1,200 volunteers across the charity’s 35 shops, a further 250 in-house volunteers doing everything from admin to gardening, and 120 who help at events.

Volunteering manager Wendy Bridge said: “For anyone wanting to gain a new skill, build confidence and experience, or who just wants to support a worthwhile charity, I would say please get in touch.”

  • To find out more about volunteering, call Ms Bridge on 01865 794749 or email wbridge@ helenanddouglas.org.uk