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The Jewish Chronicle

Volunteer of the week: Martin Vandervelde

Cycling for Prospect House

October 3, 2008 09:53

ByAnonymous, Anonymous

1 min read

Prospect House

The 73-year-old has cycled 1,000 miles a year raising £75,000 for the Swindon-based hospice over the past 20 years. He retired from running the family's menswear shop in 1991 and started volunteering for the hospice a year later. He also volunteers one day a week at a local hospital, driving patients to clinics. Martin is the life president of the Swindon Reform Jewish Community

Why the hospice?

I raise sponsorship because my sister-in-law died in a hospice.

What does your volunteering involve?

I spend three days a week emptying the hospice's 220 collection boxes placed in venues all around North Wiltshire; I drive around 80 miles each week emptying the boxes. I collect about £200 from about 15 places each week, returning to give them a receipt for the money. I also try to get other outlets to display a box.