A Special Shoutout

This month we’re shining a spotlight on one of our AMAZING volunteers, who really goes above and beyond their volunteer duties to confront loneliness and celebrate friendship in our community.

This month, we’re celebrating John Mallaghan! 

John began volunteering for us in January 2014, almost exactly five years ago! 

Originally - he had wanted to find a local charity that supported older people as he was keenly aware what a lifeline friendship having recently lost his mother. 

John began as a befriender and loved his visit's to Ollie - who he visited weekly and often took out for a coffee and enjoyed talking about life in Wokingham. It wasn't long before John got involved in all aspects of the charity - from driving, helping out with our weekly activities, befriending weekly, helping us with our fundraising bids and doing crazy things like jumping out of an aeroplane to help with our fundraising campaign during Friendship week. We've seen John dress up as a nun in our Sing-along-a Sound of Music, read poetry written by his father at our Community Kitchen and even completed a sponsored 20 mile walk. 

John became a trustee in 2016 and continues to support the whole staff team in our strategy and development. 

We'd be lost without him! Thank you John.