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Local charity hero
Posted Tuesday 6 July 2010
Charity shop volunteer Luke Gaunt, 25, is a volunteer at the Mind shop in Brighouse. Luke has been helping out for two years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour that left him partially sighted and unable to work.
Hi, I’ve been volunteering at the Mind Shop Brighouse for the last two years and I’ve found it to be a really positive experience. I started after I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour when I was 22. A month into treatment my eyesight deteriorated and I was left partially sighted. Five months later I began to volunteer.
My work involves sorting the donations that the shop receives. I find this rewarding because not only does it help raise money for Mind, it’s also helping through recycling items no longer wanted. The saying “one person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure” couldn’t be more true.
I also enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk to new people; as having a visual disability can be isolating at times. The fact that I’m contributing to the charity and society raises my self-esteem. Something that suffers when you are unemployed and on benefits.
Luke Gaunt, Mind shops' Young Volunteer of the Year and runner-up for the Association of Charity Shops Young Volunteer of the Year Award 2010 at yesterday’s award ceremony.
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