Celebrating Debbie: A Dedicated Volunteer Helping Charities Thrive for Over 25 Years
For more than two decades, Debbie has been a familiar and friendly face within the local charity community. Her commitment to helping others has seen her support numerous organisations, lead fundraising committees, and champion causes close to her heart. We spoke to Debbie to learn more about her volunteering journey – one that began in 1999 and continues with just as much passion today.
A Journey Rooted in Compassion
Debbie’s volunteering story began with St. Michael’s Hospice, where she joined the Hatch Warren & Kempshott fundraising committee in 1999. At the time, the fundraising team was small, and community committees played a vital role in supporting events and raising essential funds.
In 2000, Debbie moved with her family to Singapore for three years, but upon returning to the UK, her desire to give back only grew stronger. She set up a memorial fund in her sister’s name, supporting charities that had helped her family through difficult times.
A few years later, in 2004, an article in the Basingstoke Gazette inspired her to volunteer for Naomi House Children’s Hospice. What began as attending a local committee meeting soon turned into a leadership role – Debbie became Chair of the Basingstoke fundraising committee at only her second meeting. Contributing a lot of her time to this role she helped to organise events, support fundraising activities, and raise the charity’s profile within the community.
Her journey then led her to a professional role as a fundraiser for Sebastian’s Action Trust in 2012. After leaving the organisation, she returned to volunteering for Naomi House & Jacksplace and later supported the Ark Cancer Charity, assisting Michele and Mark Jones with fundraising around 2014/2015.
Most recently, for the past year and a half, she has been a regular volunteer for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA), a charity she continues to support wholeheartedly.
Supporting Her Community in Every Way
Debbie’s commitment to giving back extends beyond charities and into local education. She first volunteered at her children’s primary school as a parent helper and later joined the PTA when her eldest moved to secondary school – eventually becoming Chair in his final year.
A Lifelong Commitment to Giving Back
Debbie has been volunteering since 1999 – a remarkable 25+ years of service. Today, she volunteers a minimum of five days a year for HIOWAA, while still supporting Naomi House and the Ark Cancer Charity whenever she is needed.
Her days vary depending on the event, but typically you’ll find her engaging with the public on a stall, raising awareness of the charity’s work, and proudly representing the causes she believes in.
Why She Volunteers
For Debbie, volunteering is deeply personal.
She chooses charities she feels passionate about – causes she believes in and can advocate for authentically. Her early years of volunteering provided purpose while she cared for her young son, and after returning from Singapore, volunteering helped her process the loss of loved ones.
“Volunteering helped me come to terms with that loss and gave me a positive way to cope,” she shares.
The Rewards of Volunteering
Debbie wholeheartedly recommends volunteering to others “Volunteering is a wonderful way to give something back. I feel a great sense of pride in being part of a charity and helping to raise both its profile and essential funds. This enables the charity to continue doing what it does best – supporting those who need it most.”
Her favourite part? Meeting people and sharing the charity’s mission with the community.
She recalls how, when she first began volunteering for Naomi House, many people in Basingstoke had never heard of the charity. Today, it is widely recognised – something she is incredibly proud to have contributed to alongside her fellow committee members.
A Lasting Impact
Debbie’s dedication, leadership, and compassion have made a meaningful difference to countless charities and the people they support. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have – not only by giving their time, but by giving their heart.
If Debbie has inspired you to volunteer or learn more about local charities, visit the Basingstoke Voluntary Action volunteering page to find out how you can help your community: https://www.bvaction.org.uk/volunteering