Volunteer And Find Your Valentine!
18 years ago
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Posted
14th February, 2006 00h00
Volunteering your time to a worthy cause is well-known for the many benefits it provides but leading veterinary charity, PDSA, has also discovered it can find you love too!
PDSA volunteer couples include 27-year-old Graham Shirley and 29-year-old Helen Rogers who met in their local PDSA shop in 2003 and started going out together six months later. On 11 June 2005 the couple married.
Helen, says: “I initially volunteered as a way of filling my time while my son was at school. I thoroughly enjoy myself, chatting to customers and discovering the fantastic items people donate. Never in my wildest dreams, did I think I would also find my future husband! This Valentine’s Day will be our first as man and wife, thanks to volunteering and PDSA!”
Young love has also blossomed for 21-year-old Andrew Harris and 17-year-old Emma Wakefield. They have both been volunteering for over a year and have been going out together since June 2005.
Andrew, says: “Volunteering has enabled me to meet a wide variety of people that I wouldn’t normally have met. Emma initially started on a placement at the shop and we soon started going out. Although Emma’s placement has now finished, she’s continued to volunteer as it’s a great way for us to spend time together while helping the lives of pets in need of vets.”
As well as a valuable pastime, volunteering can also help young people complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award. This was the case for 17-year-old Suzi Higton, however her boyfriend, fellow volunteer Scott Brown, simply volunteered because of his love of animals.
Scott, says: “When I first started volunteering, I never thought it would find me a girlfriend. I’ve now been with Suzi for 18 months, she recently started University, so can’t volunteer as often as she did, but we will always be thankful that volunteering brought us together.”
Over 4,800 PDSA volunteers work in 181 charity shops, 43 PetAid hospitals, 4 PetAid branches and 81 fundraising groups. PDSA volunteer opportunities are available in locations nationwide, for further details contact PDSA National Volunteering Centre on freephone 0800 854 194.
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