Bega O’Sullivan has volunteered at her local Irish Cancer Society shop in Kilkenny for the last two years. “Having met so many people affected by cancer, including some of my own family members, I felt the services the Irish Cancer Society provide are so beneficial to patients and their families. I wanted to give back and I wanted to be part of such a worthwhile cause.”

In her volunteering at the shop, her role includes all the basics of retail. “I work at the till, I put out new stock and make sure the shelves are full. We take down stock that maybe has been up for a while, but hasn’t sold and I generally just make sure the shop is clean and tidy.”

“I love volunteering in the shop – I really enjoy all of it, especially the interactions with the public, whether they are making a donation or they are customers. It’s great to spend time and interact with your co-workers as well, who are all lovely and I get great support from my manger in the shop too.”

Bega thinks it’s important people are aware of the range of services provided by the Irish Cancer Society. “The supports they have for patients and their families going through such a difficult time are so wide-ranging and it’s important the public know about these services so we can keep encouraging them to support us. None of the services are possible without donations. In my role, I think I am making a difference by being open and welcoming in the shop to ensure that customers will come back and that donors will come back again and again so we can keep raising vital funds.”

“For patients and their families, I won’t stop volunteering. I won’t stop providing the best customer care I can and if somebody wants to get more information about our work, or use our services, I will make sure they are signposted to the right place.”