For Chrissy McGuiness, volunteering with Camp Quality is like being a kid again.
The nurse always knew she wanted to do something with children, so, 14 years ago she leapt into action with Camp Quality.
“I started because I wanted to find some company for myself and I knew I wanted to do something with kids,” she said.
“When I first started, I was a companion, where you stay with one child for the entire day.
“My first companion was a little boy called Thomas who was four years old.
“We got on a flight and went to Queensland with the group and did three theme parks in five days.”
Chrissy now works as a medical volunteer, where she attends camps and helps children with things like first aid.
She said her favourite memories are when she gets to see “kids just being kids”.
“They’ve all been through something terrible but are now experiencing some fun, which is a great thing to see.”
This week, during National Volunteer Week, Chrissy will be recognised for her dedication to helping young people with cancer.
As the regional winner of the Camp Quality Gillard Volunteer of the Year Award, Chrissy encourages everyone to get involved in volunteering.
“It’s just amazing,” she said.
“It’s fun and amazing to give back – it’s like we are all kids again.”
National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of Australia’s volunteers.
At a time when it is more important than ever to remember the positives, this year’s theme is ‘Changing Communities. Changing Lives’.
To celebrate the occasion while adhering to the COVID-19 restrictions, Volunteering Australia invites you to put your hand up and thank all volunteers with a wave of appreciation.
It suggests uploading a photo or video of yourself waving to social media using the hashtags #NVW2020 and #waveforvolunteers.
Newcastle State MP Tim Crakanthorp said volunteers were the unsung heroes of the community.
“While COVID-19 has changed the way, they do a lot of their work, their dedication cannot be faulted and they deserve a great deal of thanks as they continue to put others before themselves,” he said.
