Sue lent her talent for identifying and mending jewellery to Devon Air Ambulance, helping to raise essential funds.
Sue’s knowledge and passion helps to stock our eBay store with treasures.
As a charity that exists thanks to the support of the communities we serve, we are grateful to each of our volunteers whose gift of time, knowledge and skill is a gift to our patients.
Earlier this year, several volunteers joined our eBay team to bring their knowledge and keen eyes to sift through donations at our Exeter Warehouse.
We called for volunteers with specific knowledge in particular areas such as books, jewellery, medals and antiques, and we were delighted when our fantastic volunteers responded.
Experienced sorting can make a valuable difference
‘Although I don’t have any personal connection to Devon Air Ambulance, as a Dartmoor midwife, I’ve often wondered whether the heavily pregnant mums I looked after would even fit into the aircraft!
‘I first started volunteering at a charity shop in Grimsby when my mum had cancer. I was given the junk jewellery, the stuff that would go to refuse, and in exchange I either fixed items or took it apart for craft bags or to make spiders out of them to sell. I would find all the discarded diamonds, gold, silver and other gemstone jewellery that had been missed and returned it for resale. A good amount of quality jewellery can be missed by inexperienced sorters. Although I don’t have experience in fine jewellery I’m learning a lot and I now know enough to recognise that which can be passed on for evaluation by someone who knows more.’
I’ve really enjoyed meeting other volunteers and staff in the shop and the warehouse – it’s been a great learning experience for me, and I get to do what I love and meet great people.
A great learning experience
‘I already sorted, cleaned, fixed, and rethreaded jewellery as a volunteer in the Topsham Devon Air Ambulance charity shop, some of which would go on to the eBay team to be sold online. The repaired jewellery seemed to take a long time to process before it was listed, but now I’ve seen the sorting pile I understand why and I’m working through it!
‘I also make beaded jewellery that I used to sell from our narrow boat on the rivers and canals of England after my husband and I retired. I mistakenly thought the beads wouldn’t take up much room on the boat but that soon changed as my hobby developed. And I’ve always been a magpie so this work is just an extension of that. I love the search for the diamonds and the beautiful rarities that come up, not always expensive but always beautiful.
I’ve really enjoyed meeting other volunteers and staff in the shop and the warehouse – it’s been a great learning experience for me, and I get to do what I love and meet great people.’
Would you like to lend your knowledge, skill and time to supporting our service? We always welcome volunteers and we would love to hear from you.
