Round of a-paws for PDSA volunteer after 25 years at Bury shop

22 March 2023

A ‘paw-some’ pensioner from Bury has dedicated a quarter of a century to helping pets in need as she marks 25 years of volunteering for leading vet charity PDSA.  

Doreen Grundy (76) from Tottington has volunteered at the charity shop on The Rock since it first opened in March 1998.

“I first heard about volunteering at PDSA through an advert in the local paper,” she explains. “I’d given up work at that point to look after my grandchildren so I had time to give and wanted to mix with other people.

“I started off helping out on Saturdays but I do about 15 hours a week now.

“I sort through the donations we get in store and steam any clothes. I also help decorate the shop for events like Mother’s Day and Easter.

“I love it! I get to meet new people and chat to everyone who comes through the door, I’ve made lots of friends over the years and stayed in touch with people even when they’ve left the shop.

“It’s rewarding to give my time to a good cause and it’s a very proud moment to reach a 25 year milestone – it’s flown by!”

PDSA has more than 2,600 volunteers across the UK, but Doreen is one of just 20 volunteers with more than 25 years’ service at the charity,

Doreen, who lives with her husband Derek (78) in Tottington, has five grandchildren and three great grandchildren that keep her busy outside of her volunteering role at PDSA.

Karen Small, Shop Manager at Bury, said: “Doreen’s 25 years as a volunteer at our Bury shop is a truly amazing achievement. Our volunteers mean the world to us, and Doreen’s enormous contribution to the smooth running of our Bury shop has helped its continued success.

“We’re really lucky to have Doreen on board after all these years and, on behalf of everybody at PDSA, I’d like to say a huge thank you for her wonderful commitment.”  

One of more than 100 PDSA shops in the UK, the Bury team plays a pivotal role in helping to fund the charity’s 48 Pet Hospitals, including the Manchester Pet Wellbeing Centre, The Montague-Panton Hospital​​, in Gorton, which provides a lifeline to local pet owners who would otherwise struggle to afford veterinary treatment if their pet unexpectedly becomes ill or gets injured.

PDSA’s volunteers save PDSA more than £4million a year. Doreen added: “To anyone thinking about volunteering at their local PDSA charity shop, I’d say do it, it’s a good cause and a friendly environment.”

To find out about volunteering opportunities at the Bury PDSA store, please contact Karen Small on Small.Karen@pdsa.org.uk or 0161 763 1044. 

To find out more visit PDSA’s charity shops page.