Award-winning Geoff puts the fun into fundraising

A widower, who promised his wife that he would carry on her volunteering work for a Penarth hospice, has been recognised for his dedication to the cause. 

Geoff Mortimer lost his wife Jenny to cancer 8 years ago and before she died, he promised Jenny he would continue the work she had done as part of the Marie Curie Llantwit Major Fundraising Group, and since then has jumped at the chance of fundraising anywhere in the area – even at Cardiff Airport in the early hours of the morning.

Geoff’s dedication has now been marked with a Peacock Award for Fundraising Volunteer of the Year for his hard work.

Geoff said he was humbled to receive the award, which now stands pride of place on his mantelpiece – when he’s not showing it off to staff at the hospice.

Geoff, who has lost eight stone and stopped drinking alcohol at home since he began volunteering, said of winning the award:  “I was very humbled actually.  I thoroughly enjoyed being at the awards evening and the round of applause I got was unbelievable.

“A number of people came up to me after the award presentation asking me how I did it, and wanted to clone me.    But I do 25 to 30 hours a week, because I can.  If someone can do 2 hours a week, then we say thank you that’s great.  I have got so much time on my hands to be able to do these things, and I enjoy myself.  My family were very proud.” 

Geoff struggled after Jenny died and received counselling at the charity’s Cardiff and the Vale hospice which he found extremely helpful.    Volunteering for the charity, Geoff began as a collector, which  gave him a new lease of life and as time passed by, his confidence grew. 

He then became a patient feedback volunteer.

 

Sharing the secrets of his success at raising more than £20,000 so far this year – and around £50,000 in total over 7 years, Geoff said it’s not the money that’s important, but the fact that the funds he has raised this year can provide 1,000 hours of nursing care. 

“I dress in yellow from top to bottom, including my underwear and socks.  I collect up at Cardiff Airport in departures, and have collected £8,000 there,” he said. 

“One guy said he had to come and give me something for being there at 3 in the morning dressed like that – and he put a tenner in the bucket.  I’m there from 3am to 2 in the afternoon. 

“If I see a family of two kids and two adults, I’ll wave at the kids first.  If they wave back, I’ll put my hand up to do a high five and they will come running over.  Then the parents come over because they want to see what’s going on, and I’ll get some money in the bucket. 

“I’ve had people queuing up to put money in my bucket.  It’s a different idea and way of approaching fundraising.  I put the fun into fundraising.” 

Geoff, who volunteers between 25 and 30 hours a week, said: “I just thoroughly enjoy myself, it’s not a chore for me, I just love to get out to talking to people, the spin off then is the money I have raised.  I just throw everything at it.  It’s amazing how I manage, my calendar is all over the place and I don’t double book things. 

“The stories that you get when you talk to people, and they’ll put a tenner or even £20 in the bucket.    If someone does that, I’ll look at them and say thank you, and “there must be a story behind that”.  They tell me about the nurses and how well they have looked after someone.  It’s quite uplifting.” 

 

Community fundraiser Georgina Burke, who nominated Geoff, said: “Geoff is someone who will always respond with a “yes please” if asked to do a daffodil collection in the cold and rain! 

“Geoff will host and collect at as many collections as he possibly can, on average around 3 per week throughout the year and sometimes more. 

“Everyone loves him especially as he dresses head to toe in yellow.  He never fails to engage people and greets them with a huge smile and welcoming “Hello”.  

“Geoff thoroughly enjoys volunteering and the people that he meets. It gives him a huge buzz and is a pleasure to be around.” 

“Geoff is passionate about the vision of Marie Curie – A better life for people and their families living with a terminal illness, and demonstrates this in how he speaks to supporters and patients. Having had the excellent care first hand, he understands what a difficult time it can be for families and will do anything to help.”