Meet the volunteer… Ann Yearsley

We catch up with Ann Yearsley, volunteer collector for Francis House.

Woman with grey hair stood holding a blue charity collection bucket and a glass award trophy stood outside a large store with the words Homebase over the entrance — For 16 years Ann Yearsley collected for Francis House at Homebase in Altrincham.

Why did you start volunteering?

Through the 2 Little Ducks community group I met Mary and Alan Gillatt who worked at Francis House and they asked us to get involved with the Festival of Trees project decorating a Christmas tree for auction for Francis House.

What have you been doing?

Since 2009, I’ve been collecting at Homebase in Broadheath. When I first started the whole retail park belonged to the Crown so I wrote to the Queen’s secretary asking if I could collect for charity. I got a letter back confirming it was okay as long as I didn’t sit on the pavement. Homebase agreed to it, and every weekend since I’ve been there with a bucket.

What do you get out of it?

I enjoy it. The managers and staff have been great and people know who I am and we have a chat and a laugh. I enjoy the company and meeting people. I’d like to thank all the staff and customers who have been kind enough to give to me in order to collect for Francis House.

What’s next?

Unfortunately Homebase closed down and I was devastated. I’ve been very lucky to have been allowed to collect for so long. Fortunately B&Q have taken over and I’ll be able to carry on collecting for charity!

As a thank you to Ann for her years of dedicated fundraising, we presented her with a trophy as she exceeded £22,000 in donations collected in her bucket!