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Sue Ryder Care volunteer surprised on Paul O'Grady show

24 October 2008

In the run up Community Service Volunteers (CSV)’s Make a Difference Day, Sue Ryder Care was delighted to be able work together with Channel 4’s Paul O Grady Show to recognize and reward one of our volunteers, Linda Baines, for all her hard work and support.

Linda Baines (53) from Hertfordshire volunteers at Sue Ryder Care – Stagenhoe for one afternoon a week helping staff out in the care centre’s recreational therapy sessions.  Linda gets involved in everything, from arts and craft therapy to games and simply spending time chatting with residents. 

As well as volunteering at Sue Ryder Care - Stagenhoe, Linda has also fostered 80 children and adopted two.  She is a long-term carer for Scott Cowie (20) who lives with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and epilepsy (Scott also volunteers at Sue Ryder Care - Stagenhoe).  And, she is part of the local neighbourhood watch and visits elderly people in the community, helping them out with their gardens and shopping. 

Over the past few weeks, the PR team has secretly worked with Channel 4 to film a number of Linda’s friends, family members and staff at Sue Ryder Care – Stagenhoe saying heart-warming things about Linda.  And, this week, Alice Clements, PR Manager, attended the filming of this Friday’s Paul O Grady Show with Linda, her husband and Scott Cowie where Paul O Grady surprised Linda and publicly declared what a ‘good soul’ she is.  Linda was also presented with a voucher for a brand new kitchen worth £7,000 and an all expenses paid night out to a restaurant of her choice.     

Alice Clements, PR Manager, said, “Linda truly makes a difference every single day of her life and is a true inspiration.  I am delighted that we were able to work with Channel 4 in this way to recognize and reward Linda for her absolute dedication to helping other people including residents at Sue Ryder Care – Stagenhoe.” 

Alice added, “Linda is just one of Sue Ryder Care’s thousands of volunteers whose continued support is vital to enable us to continue to deliver quality care to people who need it most.  As always, our sincere thanks go out to all of our volunteers who help us make a real difference to the lives of the thousands of people we care for each year.”                      
 
The Paul O Grady Show featuring Linda is broadcast on Friday, 24 October on Channel 4 at 5pm. 

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