If, sometimes I feel rushed off my feet and haven't really time to do something, all I need to do is to think of those with MND who attend our branch meetings. They soldier on valiantly and always manage a smile even though life is very tough for them –I know then why I am doing this job!
Gill Pitt
I was approached by a friend of mine, Jan Galloway, who is a Visitor for West South Branch, while she was having supper at our house one evening.
Her husband, David, then started saying all the right things about how great it would be if I joined the committee as secretary – a two-pronged attack (obviously well-orchestrated!).
This request was then backed up by another friend who was on the committee helping with fundraising. I could hardly refuse! Joking apart, I had visited someone whose husband had died of MND while acting as a bereavement carer at our local hospice in South London and had been very struck by how devastating a disease it was, having not known of anyone previously who had died of MND.
My duties include preparing the agenda, typing out Visitors’ reports and attending committee meetings. I also attend branch meetings, although that is not necessarily part of the role of secretary. I keep records of our people living with MND and send out invitations to branch meetings. I generally support my chairman and type correspondence for her when necessary.
I also help out with fundraising events when I can. The most memorable of these events was standing in the pouring rain at a fundraising event when it rained hard all day - looking around and seeing how many people had turned out to support, both people with MND and friends. We made over £3,000 that day - in spite of the weather!
We are very fortunate at West Sussex South Branch to have a thriving committee which is led by an inspiring chairman whose enthusiasm knows no bounds. If sometimes I feel rushed off my feet and haven't really got time to do something, all I need to do is to think of those with MND who attend our branch meetings. They soldier on valiantly and always manage a smile even though life is very tough for them – I know then why I am doing this job!
