It is with a mixture of sadness and happiness that we say goodbye to Friday evening stalwart Kate as she leaves to marry her childhood sweetheart Matthew in New Zealand. She first started volunteering on Boxing Day 2012 after having been inspired by her colleague who regularly donated to Shelter From The Storm. “I called Sheila and asked ‘do you need help?’ and she said ‘Yes, how about today?’. I tried several evenings before finding my spiritual home on Friday nights with the wonderful Dan and Rachel.” The highlight of her time at the shelter was becoming a shiftleader but it was always the people – the guests and the team – that kept her returning each week. “The Friday shift is the highlight of my week,” she said. “And I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Kate is planning to return to the shelter in the Autumn.
She is extremely excited about her marriage and the couple are planning a three-month honeymoon around Europe in a 27 year old campervan. However, Kate has offered to fly back every Friday evening if someone is willing to foot the bill.