Meet Matthew and Patricia - volunteering as a family

Patricia has been volunteering at BHF’s Felixstowe shop since her son Matthew started nursery. 17 years later and her son has now been volunteering alongside her for the past 5 years, seeking to make a positive difference and gain work experience.

After losing her husband to a heart attack when Matthew was just 8 years old, the family want to help raise funds for research into genetic links to help reduce the spread through the generations. Patricia has also been affected by heart disease herself, having had lifesaving heart surgery as an 11 year old child.

We feel that volunteering together means we are fighting against heart disease as a family.

Patricia

They both love how volunteering has helped them get to know other locals working there, as well as interacting with the customers each day. The past 5 years have been instrumental in providing Matthew with work experience and have allowed him to develop his confidence, whilst Patricia saw it as a great social outlet when Matthew started nursery. The team are now like family to them both, having been a great support when her husband suddenly passed away.

When asked what it’s like working alongside her son, Patricia says “we feel that volunteering together means we are fighting against heart disease as a family.”