by Val | Nov 1, 2011 | Val's blog
Hello,
My name is Val Frew and I work for More Than in Liverpool, part of the RSA Group.
In summer 2011 a charitable secondment was announced and Vera Reynolds in my office came straight over to see me to make sure I was made aware of this as Vera thought it sounded the perfect opportunity for me to do more work with the charity I am Chairwoman for – The Children’s Heart Association, Alder Hey branch.
As soon as I read the details, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do.
The secondment was offered by RSA to all employees worldwide to work with a local charity for up to 3 months. I put in my application and chose to work with the Children’s Heart Association if I was successful with my application.
I have done voluntary work with CHA for around 10yrs and CHA is a big part of my life. I got involved because my nephew, Matthew, who is now 12 was born with a major heart condition called hyper plastic left heart. I wanted to be able to help others who go through what we have been through and make a difference for other families. I was asked to take on role a volunteer chair for Alder Hey branch and at first I agreed to it for 6 months, Ten years later I am still chair of Alder hey and now Vice Chair on National Executive Committee too.
We are a support group for families of children who have a heart condition, or have had a heart condition. We have no paid workers – everything is done on a voluntary basis.
We have branch meetings and we arrange trips and fundraising events.
I was successful with my secondment and was granted the full 3 months off work with pay to do more.
To say I was delighted would be an understatement. I really do appreciate being given this opportunity and I know I will be able to do more to help others. I have a real passion to help children and their families.
Val Frew
A very proud volunteer of CHA
I plan to keep a record of all my activities during my secondment and they are recorded pages to follow….
by Val | Dec 15, 2008 | News
14 December 2008 saw our annual Christmas Party at 01 Clinic Alder Hey hospital. This year’s party was full and we had to stop taking names over 2 weeks before and had a waiting list. Our party starts at 1.30pm till around 4pm. I had booked a children’s entertainer and was a little concerned when at 1.20pm he had not shown up. (Well when i say a little concerned – as those who were there I think will agree I was a bit more than a little nervous). Gill had a Christmas CD for emergency we could borrow and was trying to decide who coming was a teacher, as they may know some party games and could help us out (so be warned for the future come prepared just in case) . Thankfully just after 1.20pm he arrived and took about 10 mins for him to set up. I must say the children were being entertained and some of the adults joined in too.
The children must all have been very good this year as they had a very special visitor. Santa came and said hello and gave each child a present and guess what – they all got what they wanted. Santa must have got their lists or just known what they would want. My nephews are now 7 & 9 and don’t quite believe as they once use to but they did say to me they heard Santa on the roof and were sure they had seen him coming into the hospital – how great would that be if he really did come to visit all the children. Sure enough they were right, he did come and visit.
So children, be good and he might come again next year.
Val.
by Val | Jul 5, 2008 | News
Yellow Duck, Liverpool. We plan months in advance for our days out and when it is a summer trip we assume (wrongly) it will be a beautiful summers day. Well in advance I had arranged this day, booked 2 ducks, arranged a swap in my work and booked a private room for our picnic lunches afterwards. What I forgot to book (well I wish I could) was the weather – it was rain rain rain.
We had departure times of 11.45am and noon so we all met at 11.30am at the stop at the Albert Dock ready for our departures. We had our photo’s taken then started to board. The 1st duck left and then the second one which I was on.
We had a commentator who was telling us about buildings of interest. When we hit the city centre as Liverpool is Capital of Culture for 2008, we have over 100 Superlamb Bananas which are very colourful. The children on my side would shout “Superlamb Banana” and then all children would dash to that side, then someone else would shout here is one on this side and the children dashed from one side to the other.
It was pouring with rain so we had to have the plastic side on so although the view wasn’t too bad it wasn’t marvelous. The children had a fabulous time and the tour lasted about 50 minutes. When we went into the dock we all had to scream as loud as we could for splash down and I am reliably informed by 2 children there are sharks in the dock water (what lovely imaginations they have). On the way out of the water we had to sing “We all live in a yellow submarine” and even without music we did pretty well – watch out as who knows, we might even get picked for Liverpool’s got talent.
We then headed for our picnic lunch and that was enjoyable, then on to see museums, etc. I believe a good day was had by all despite the bad weather and it was a good turnout.
Val
by Val | Dec 1, 2004 | News
For one week in November, members of the Alder Hey branch ran a charity shop to raise funds for the Association.
Work started months before by advertising and collecting the donated items. The day arrived to prepare the shop in preparation for what we hoped to be a successful week. On Saturday we had a huge transit van fully loaded plus eight full car loads of saleable items. (We were amazed at the generosity of people). It took a team of 12 friends over five hours to unpack and display the goods.
On arrival at the shop on Monday morning (our first day) we were greeted by a queue of eager customers for the first of many bargains to be had. Even while opening the shop doors to get the volunteers in we were asked about prices for items which people could see on display. First to be sold was a rug. The shop is normally open 10-4 but due to demand we had to open 9-5! On Monday we had to close the doors twice due to the overwhelming number of customers who had turned up to see what bargains we had.
We had set a target of £1000 but we exceeded our expectations. In the first two days alone we took nearly £800 and although the remaining days weren’t as good we were more than pleased.
We had a lot of laughs on the way and met lots of lovely people. Our thanks go to everyone who donated and bought from our shop.
Val
