Hello, my name is Heather. I’ve worked as a broadcast journalist for more than four decades – a job that has been both challenging and rewarding. I started my career in New Zealand, where I grew up, but for most of the past 30 years, I’ve worked for ITV Tyne Tees, I hope delivering stories, programmes and bulletins that have made a difference to people in our region. I was also part of the public relations team for the Hartlepool Tall Ships 2010. I loved helping to publicise this massive event and still remember watching the spectacular Class A vessels transform our skyline as they sailed past my seaside house on the town’s Headland.

It was a difficult decision to finally retire earlier this year from the television job I’d loved so much, but I knew I still wanted to put my writing and communications skills to good use in our community. Alice House Hospice was the obvious choice. Some years ago I’d lost my Mum, then my Dad and several aunties and uncles in a short space of time. I was functioning, but grieving, particularly over my Mum, who had died in sudden and tragic circumstances back in New Zealand. My best friend suggested I could benefit from counselling, and I approached Alice House, which offered a bereavement service. My sessions with Hilary transformed my outlook and allowed me to move past the rawness of grief, while still treasuring the memories of my Mum.

Since then I’ve contributed to Alice House through its raffles and festive Light up a Life campaign. But now I’m also working as a volunteer media consultant, helping with news releases, website stories and strategies to promote the amazing work of the Hospice. From the moment I joined, I’ve felt like part of the Alice House family. The team works so hard to help those who are facing end of life, and to support their families, but they also appreciate and celebrate their staff and volunteers. I am so pleased I decided to volunteer.

Perhaps you have some time and skills that would help this incredibly important charity? Without the selfless work of Alice House’s army of wonderful volunteers, the organisation would not be able to help the number of families it does. Alice House quite simply is a haven to those who need it most, both medically and emotionally. And it really needs more volunteers, right now.”

If you would like to know more about how you could volunteer, and make a difference, please visit Alice House’s Volunteer page here.

Alice House Hospice provides care and support to patients and families affected by life limiting illness, or the death of a loved one in Hartlepool, Tees Valley and East Durham.

It costs over £3.6m to fund these services for one year; the Hospice receives just over 25% of this in Government funding, leaving a shortfall of over £7,000 to be raised every single day.