Events volunteer
"What does life as an events volunteer involve? Well, it can be anything and everything - from guiding walkers at Epping Forest; ushering at la Boheme, a picnic opera; collecting money in buckets; to helping out on the fundraising stand at Crufts.
Everyone pitches in to make every event a success, and although the work can be tedious and the hours long, everything is suddenly worthwhile when you meet the dogs, and sometimes the cats, that you are helping to look after.
Never a typical day
One of the events that I have attended as a volunteer was the 'Wag & Bone Show' at Great Windsor Park. I helped the fundraising team selling raffle tickets and telling people about kennel sponsorship schemes.
Although things were a little slow to start, we soon enlisted the help of Dali and Hogie, two pugs that belong to a member of Battersea staff, who soon had people flocking to the stand to learn more about the Home.
In no time, the day passed, the raffle had been drawn, the show had closed and the change bag was full! It was then time to help dismantle the tents and the shop trailer, and hit the road. By the time I arrived home, it had been a twelve hour day, but the opportunity to help these teams is one I can never pass up as you know every little bit goes towards helping our little friends.
Annual Reunion
I also helped out at the Annual Reunion - an event held each year in Battersea Park where people bring their ex-Battersea dogs from miles around to take part in games and activities, buy merchadise, and learn more about the work of the Home.
Last year I was working in the tea tent and although we were mobbed, we really had a great time. The atmosphere at the Reunion is always fabulous, and the high point of everyone's day is seeing how happy the dogs are. Many of them get to see the Battersea staff members who helped look after them while they were in the Home, which is rewarding for everyone.
When each of us from the tea tent "took five" and wandered around the arena, we were able to watch the beauty and agility shows, do a spot of shopping, and see if any of the other volunteers needed a hand - or a cake - to keep them going!
Fundraising
The Home runs a wide range of fundraising events throughout the year and I hope I will be able to help out a lot more.
I even enjoyed dressing up as a Dalmation and shaking a bucket in Liverpool Street Station with other volunteers during Tuesday rush hour to raise vital funds.
It is wonderful to be part of such a dedicated team, and I wholeheartedly recommend the experience to everyone!
