Inspiring teenage volunteer raises thousands for Willow Wood

An inspirational teenager from Ashton-under-Lyne organised her own event to raise a phenomenal £3,800 in support of patient care at Willow Wood Hospice.

Neev Patel put on a special celebration at Ashton Rugby Club in June, attended by more than 100 people.

The 15-year-old, who is in Year 11 at Hulme Grammar School in Oldham, has felt a connection with the Hospice from a young age and volunteers at our Waterloo shop at weekends.

She has always wanted to hold a fundraising event for Willow Wood and the opportunity arose one day at school.

“As part of a Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) we could write a 2,000 word essay on a topic of your choice or create an artefact – like someone in an older year group restored a Volkswagen,” Neev explained.

“I thought I’m not going to be boring so I pitched the idea to my school supervisor of doing a charity event and he thought it was amazing!

“I found a venue, organised a buffet, I contacted a balloon lady for decorations and emailed lots of businesses for raffle prizes. I got a £200 Booking.com voucher and a four ball at The Mere in Knutsford amongst others.

“I invited lots of people, it was £5 a ticket for entry – which all went towards the total amount raised for Willow Wood. We had an auction on the night – one person paid £300 for one of the prizes. It was a really lovely night, it was successful and I really enjoyed it.

“Everyone who attended had the same initiative to spend money knowing it was going to a good cause. My family and friends came and I also reserved a table for the staff and volunteers I work with in the Waterloo shop, who all had a good time.

“I did a speech on the night, I said they were there and thanked them. They received a massive round of applause which was really nice.”

Neev’s mum works in the local healthcare system and has established connections with staff at the Hospice, which is how Neev was introduced to what Willow Wood is all about.

“My mum is a nurse working in Hattersley so she knows a lot of people including Wendy, from the Dementia Support team at the Hospice who I’ve got to know well,” said Neev.

“I’ve always known the Hospice and people that Willow Wood has helped including my grandad. I started raising money when I was quite young, around 10 years old, and we have always been to events like the Christmas Fair.”

Neev initially started volunteering for the Hospice as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award when she was 13 years old – helping out at the Waterloo shop on Saturdays.

“I was supposed to do an hour a week for three months and I did four hours a week for two years! I still volunteer there now and I don’t think they want to get rid of me any time soon!

“I really enjoy it, it’s something different and I feel like I am giving back. I sort through donations, price them up and put them in the shop. I go through the clothing rails, I sometimes work on the till too, I do a bit of everything really.”

Neev loves the people most about volunteering and has become a popular member of the team at our shop on Oldham Road.

“Whether it’s the volunteers or the customers, it’s nice to have a conversation with people and I have got to know them,” she told us.

“People will come in and we can have a laugh as we go along. As volunteers, we all know we are there for a purpose and you feel wanted there.

“My fellow volunteers will message me asking how my day was in the shop when they’re not there and I have formed a really good connection with them.”

Willow Wood could not provide vital services without volunteers, who have a positive impact on our community, and Neev would strongly recommend volunteering to other young people in particular.

Explaining the benefits to her, she said: “You grow as a person, you get more social skills so I can talk to anyone about anything now. I understand the way people live their lives and their opinions on things a lot more. I have gained a lot from it and learned new skills which are great for my CV in the future.

“I have become friends with some volunteers from the shop who are in their 70s and I have learned from them.”

Neev has aspirations of becoming a marine biologist in the future and is also keen to continue charity work and supporting the Hospice, around her important studies.

“Willow Wood is just a lovely place,” she concluded. “Everyone is so lovely and you can get on with anyone.”