Terry's Volunteering Story
Inspirational Terry funds 20 life-saving missions across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Meet Terry
East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) volunteer, Terry Southgate has been organising and attending collections on behalf of EAAA since 2018. In that time, he has built up strong relationships with local organisations and other volunteers and has raised over £75,000 – a staggering amount of money to help save lives across the region. This is enough to fund 20 life-saving missions across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
We caught up with Terry recently to learn more about his volunteering role and why is he proud to be an ambassador for EAAA.
“I organise bucket collections across Norfolk and Suffolk in aid of EAAA. It’s a major part of my life.” Terry explains.
He takes great care to research and organise the logistics for himself and other EAAA volunteers to attend various events and locations, which has included supermarkets, schools and large-scale events, including Newmarket and Great Yarmouth Racecourses and Norwich City and Ipswich Town Football Clubs. In fact, if you’ve seen an EAAA bucket collection in Norfolk and Suffolk, the chances are that it has been Terry who has organised it.
“It’s often a case of finding the right person to ask,” Terry adds, “and of course determining whether a permit is needed and working with the local authority to obtain this if required.”
Terry has now been a volunteer with EAAA for over five years. “The more time that passes, the more contacts I make. I really enjoy it and I’m pleased with what I’ve achieved so far. EAAA is a charity that anyone could need at any time. People are usually very positive about the charity and appreciate the work of EAAA. When we are out at collections, we meet a lot of people who are connected to EAAA in some way.
This year, just some of the community events Terry is attending are the ‘Two Wheel Tuesdays’ which take place at Old Buckenham in Norfolk. These are one of the biggest mid-week motorbike meet-ups in the country. It was a former patient of EAAA who helped Terry to make this connection, which has raised over £4,500 so far this year.
“It’s really rewarding; it keeps me busy during my retirement and gives me a purpose. I’ve built some great relationships and made really good friends – everyone is so genuine and friendly.” He says.
Terry is supported by the EAAA central Volunteering team. Other EAAA volunteers support him to attend collections across Norfolk and Norfolk. “We will sometimes be joined by members of the EAAA CPR training team to help people learn life-saving skills at some of the events we attend.” Terry adds.
He is thriving in a voluntary role which not only offers him flexibility and autonomy but saves EAAA money too. He hopes that others will be inspired to join EAAA as a regular or an occasional volunteer.
Terry concludes: “It’s a truly wonderful cause, so if you have some time on your hands, get in touch with the team to see how you might be able to get involved.”
Inspired by Terry's story?
At EAAA, we completely depend on a dedicated, diverse and flexible group of individuals who volunteer to support us in delivering this life-saving service. We have around 250 volunteers who dedicate their time and skills in many different ways.
So, if you have been inspired by Terry’s story to go above and beyond to fundraise, volunteer your time, take part in events and be an ambassador for EAAA, get in touch.