News
Volunteering ‘a two-way benefit’
A NEW RBLI project aims to muster 100 volunteers to join the charity by the end of the year. The scheme will focus on volun- teering as a pathway to employ- ment, rehabilitation and to provide additional services to the men and women supported by RBLI. It is hoped to recruit volunteers in- cluding befrienders, minibus and van drivers, help with gardening, maintenance, and catering. Existing volunteers, representa-
tives of volunteering organisations and council officials attended the launch at the Royal British Legion Village atAylesford. Itwas followed by a planting ceremony in the Gar- den of Honour. Julie Beilby, chief executive of Tonbridge and Malling Council, said: “Volunteering is an increas- ingly popularway for people to give something back to the community and provides many with a pathway back to work.” Among the speakers were volun-
teers Kate Bosley and Derek Cantel- low, who lives in the legion village. He said: “Volunteering with the
Cyclists boost hospice fund
Volunteer Kate Bosley with Steve Sherry and Julie Beilby
RBLI gives me a chance to talk to people and helps maintain the sense of community in the village.” RBLI chief executive Steve Sherry
said: “Volunteering is very different from what itwas a decade ago. It is a two-way process which benefits the volunteer and the organisation. For some it can be a first step into employment, enabling them to re- gain confidence. It will also allow us to provide extended services for the armed forces community and others we support.” For more information, visit
RBLI.co.uk, call 01622 795924 or email
volunteer@rbli.co.uk.
ABOUT250 cyclists got on their bikes in the Heart of Kent Hospice annual Cyclo Sportive. Theline-up of cyclists included fam-
ilies keento raise fundsfor the hospice in memory of a loved one, and more competitive riders seeking to beat their personal best. The routes of 38km, 65km and
100km took in some of Kent’s pretti- est villages before arriving back at East Malling Research for a welcome bowl of soup and a drink. The first rider to complete the
100km course was FredMasters from Ditton in 3:12.27, followed by John Libbeter fromSnodland withatimeof 3:15.44 and Matt Nichols in 3:15.58. Lindy Taylor, from Aylesford, was
the first female cyclist to cross the fin- ish line in 3:46.48, followed by Lon-
doners Catherine Jenkins in 3:58.35 and Elizabeth Ferguson in 3:58.56. SarahPugh, director ofincomegen-
eration for the hospice, said: “Itwas a great day and despite the wet condi- tions everyone enjoyed the chal- lenges.Wearereally grateful to all the cyclists, our sponsors The Civil Service Insurance Society and to our volun- teers whoworked so hard.” Although some cyclists are still col-
lecting their sponsorship money, the hospice hopes to have raised almost £14,000 from the event, which will provide vital services for patients with alife-limiting illnessandtheir families. It costs more than £4m a year to
run the hospice services, of whichover £3mis raised by the local community through fundraising, challenges, do- nationsandthe support of volunteers.
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