As we celebrate Volunteers Week, we are recognising the incredible contribution of all our amazing volunteers. Your support makes it possible to provide compassionate care to people living with life-limiting illnesses in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Whether you volunteer in our hospices, shops, fundraising, or community roles, you help us continue our vital work. Jonathan’s involvement in our Drive Thrus and eCommerce team highlights the diverse ways volunteers support our mission.

This August marks 10 years of volunteering with The Myton Hospices for Jonathan, who began supporting us after retiring from a career specialising in employee and industrial relations.

Jonathan started out in our Coventry warehouse, accompanying drivers on deliveries and working with other volunteers sorting and stacking stock, and preparing donations for our shops. He recalls:

Alongside the warehouse work, I also collect donation tins from across the Warwick area about twice a year. When the warehouse closed in the summer of 2020, Myton launched the Donation Drive-Thrus and I volunteered to help run them.

I now support the drive-thrus at all three Myton sites, transporting donations to various locations. The team is amazing, and one of the volunteers always brings cake – definitely a bonus when you’re doing lots of heavy lifting!

Over the last few years, Jonathan has also taken on a new role, collecting eBay items selected by our shop managers and delivering them to our eCommerce hub in Rugby each week. He also helps get the sold items out for delivery to their new homes.

But Jonathan’s commitment doesn’t stop there. He regularly supports our retail team with ad hoc tasks, helping with shop relocations, stock distribution, and even volunteering for our Christmas Tree Collection. Jonathan added:

I always knew I wanted to volunteer for a charity after I retired. I’d met Ruth, now the CEO, when she was Director of Fundraising, and she introduced me to the team. With Myton’s strong local presence and great reputation, it felt like a no-brainer.

I wanted to do something very different from my career – something more hands-on – and I’m loving the physical side of the roles I do. Knowing that our shops directly support patient care makes every shift worthwhile.

I really feel part of the team, and the other volunteers are incredible. I feel lucky to work alongside such a diverse, dedicated group of people.

Ralph Beevers, Head of Retail at The Myton Hospices, shared just how much of an impact people like Jonathan make through their dedication and support:

Jonathan makes an incredible contribution to Myton Retail, playing a key role in our Drive Thrus and eCommerce operations. The income generated through eCommerce is a vital part of the overall contribution Retail makes to Myton, and this area has gone from strength to strength in recent years – thanks in no small part to Jonathan’s dedication. Thank you, Jonathan, for everything you do for Myton!

Did you know…? Our shops fund the care of 1 in 4 of our patients. By donating, shopping, or volunteering at our shops, you’re helping us provide specialist care for people and their families living with life-limiting illnesses across Coventry and Warwickshire.

Jonathan is also a long-time supporter of Myton’s fundraising events.

As a keen cyclist, I’ve taken part in the annual Cycle Challenge every year since 2016 – it’s always such a brilliant day! I also joined the abseil down Coventry Cathedral in March 2024, which was amazing. The weather was perfect, and once I got the hang of it, I loved it – though I nearly went through the stained glass window!

Rather than fundraising through sponsorship, Jonathan chooses to make personal donations linked to his cycling, walking and swimming holidays. Over the years, these contributions have added up to an extraordinary £29,018.38 in support of Myton.

Jonathan encourages anyone who has time to volunteer:

Volunteering has done me so much good and it gives back to a truly worthwhile cause. It fits easily into my life and brings real balance.

All the volunteers make a massive difference to the people who need Myton’s care. If you’re thinking about getting involved, do it! You’ll meet so many great people and you won’t find a better charity than Myton.

If you’re interested in volunteering in retail but want a role that suits your schedule and skills, Jonathan’s story could be just the inspiration you need!

Find out more about our charity shop and eCommerce roles HERE!

To find out more about how you can volunteer your time at our Donation Drive Thru events, please visit below.

Find out more about volunteering at a Drive Thru HERE!

If our Van Driving roles is more your style, please visit below.

Find out more about our driving roles HERE!

Or if you would prefer to accompany our van drivers as a Van Buddy, you can find out more online!

Find out more about being a Van Buddy HERE!

If you’re not sure what role suits you best, explore all of our volunteer options on our website!

Explore all of our volunteer options HERE!

Thank you to Jonathan and all our fantastic volunteers. Your commitment helps us support more people when they need us most, now and in the future.