On Saturday 17 February, SCAA’s Perth base was brimming with volunteers as we hosted our biannual Volunteer Day.
Highlights from the event consisted of training, charity updates, crew Q&A, a tour of the helicopter – and plenty of homemade sweet treats!
At the time of writing, SCAA has an army of 218 dedicated volunteers, with more joining on a weekly basis. Our invaluable volunteers are an integral part of our charity that support our vital work in a number of useful ways.
Whether it’s volunteering at an event, participating in our talks programme, bucket collections, being a mascot for the day, collection cans, or assisting the office staff, each role is instrumental in supporting SCAA.
Our Volunteer Day welcomed many long-standing volunteers as well as new recruits. The gathering was organised and hosted by SCAA’s Volunteer Co-Ordinator, Rebecca Peden (pictured below).
“Volunteer Days are special to us as they allow us a chance to get together, socialise and collectively think of ideas for the year ahead,” Rebecca explained.
“Volunteering at SCAA is really good fun. Most volunteers join for different reasons but it’s very clear that people want to have a good time at events. It’s a really nice, positive atmosphere and we’ve built a good community despite being located all over Scotland.”
Volunteers were welcomed into the SCAA hanger which was equipped with free tea, coffee and a surplus of cake, stalls of merchandise, and a presentation area. After a brief training session and charity update, attendees socialised with the crew prior to receiving a tour around the helicopter and base.
Jim Luff has been a volunteer with SCAA for two years and attended the event. He said: “It’s a wonderful organisation and one of the best charities to get involved in as it saves lives and helps people.
“I work at some events, but I would like to also get involved in talks and meet more groups. One of the best things about volunteering is the wonderful people you meet.
“If you’re considering volunteering with SCAA, just do it. It’s great fun, the people are wonderful, the charity is wonderful and it’s the one charity that everybody believes in. Just get in there and do it…we all have fun, but we help each other at the same time.”
Another volunteer at the event was Kathleen Nelson, she said: “I’ve been a volunteer with SCAA for six or seven years now. I do a lot of supermarket collections and events all over the country.
“SCAA is the kind of charity where it’s easy for people understand what we do and where the money goes.
“It’s [volunteering] good for me as it gets me out and about, I’m widowed and retired and volunteering for SCAA keeps me interested and busy.
“One of the good things about SCAA is you can volunteer as much or as little as suits you…you can get into it gently. You pick your events and go to something and somewhere that you think you’ll enjoy.”
One of SCAA’s longest serving volunteers, Moira McKay, wears her 10-year volunteer badge proudly. She said: “I had some spare time and felt volunteering was a good choice.
“If anyone is considering volunteering with SCAA, I would say at least give it a go and I’m sure you would be hooked, it’s great fun!”
Anyone interested in volunteering with SCAA can contact Rebecca (Becca) at volunteer@scaa.org.uk, or click here for more information.
