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    My name is Leanne Donaghy and I am 24 years old. I got involved in volunteering when I turned 16 in February 2002. My first volunteer role was in Save The Children charity shop in Bangor. I volunteered there for six years in total. Throughout my time there I gained a lot of experience. (read more)

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  • The Wonderful World of Volunteering

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  • Rachael Sewell

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  • Cathy Gallagher

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  • Catch the Volunteering Bug!

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  • Overseas Volunteer Finds Magic Volunteering

    It's in Northern Ireland where I have felt most at home and where I've experienced like nowhere else an overwhelming understanding that we are in fact able to change things if we all work together with one goal in mind: helping others. (read more)

  • Millennium Volunteer Gains Career Insight

    Rachel Moore is a student at Lumen Christi College and has been volunteering at Altnagelvin Hospital since October, as part of the Millennium Volunteers programme, which recognises sustained commitment to volunteering. (read more)

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Our group may be small but we are formidable!

Sonya Hall is Chairperson of Hill Croft School Parent Teacher Association. The PTA was formed in 1987 and its aim is to raise funds for the children who attend the school in New Mossley, Newtownabbey.

The PTA sub-committee meets every Wednesday for two and a half hours but each member of the sub-committee also does a lot of volunteering at home, with Sonya as Chairperson averaging two hours every day.

The PTA began fundraising in January 2009 to raise £171,000 to fund specialised outdoor equipment. To date the group has already raised £68,000. Money is raised in a number of ways, for example through collection tins in the local area, through bag packing at local supermarkets, clothing collections, payroll giving and key coins. The PTA recently won the UTV People's Millions and was awarded over £42,000 to fund an enclosed ball arena.

Explaining why she volunteers Sonya said, "I volunteer because of the great sense of satisfaction I get from it and also the feel good factor. It is hard work but rewarding, as the children benefit. Joining a PTA is a great way to make friends with other parents and to build relationships. I regularly go on shopping trips and holidays with other parents on the PTA and we are already planning our next trip to Spain in the spring.

The PTA relies heavily on family and friends to help out on a voluntary basis, for example at open days and prize giving. There is an unseen army of hidden volunteers who frequently help out, as well as our partners who help out behind the scenes looking after our children.

I believe that if you are interested in your volunteering you will enjoy it. Our group may be small but we are formidable. We try to involve the local community as much as possible and could not survive without volunteers."

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