An Interview with Dorothy - Hope's longest serving volunteer
We recently sat down with Hope’s longest serving volunteer Dorothy Tomlinson to talk a little bit about her time with the charity.
Dorothy, from Peatling Magna, was an administrator for various doctors and professors at the University of Leicester for many years, she served as a local magistrate and is both a writer and a poet.
Dorothy first heard about us when she attended Hope’s Founder Mrs Allison Wilson’s funeral in 2002. Dorothy and Mrs Wilson were fellow magistrates and during the service Mrs Wilson’s brother George spoke of the planned new charity dedicated to local cancer research.
Hope was destined to become a significant part of Dorothy’s future.
When the formation of The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research was announced in the Leicester Mercury, Dorothy recognised Professor Will Steward in the accompanying picture. Professor Steward had recently been appointed as her husband Ray’s consultant following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
When Ray passed a collection was taken at the funeral for Hope.
Not long after, Dorothy decided to start volunteering with the charity. She began with us at 5 Castle View, a basic office that leaked when it rained.
Dorothy turned up for her first day at the same time as the arrival of the very first Hope computers. She was asked if she had any experience with spreadsheets. As a seasoned administrator Dorothy said yes and has been cataloguing the kindness and generosity of our supporters ever since.
In a twist of fate, it was the donations collected at her husband’s funeral which were the first funds that she needed to record that day.
Dorothy began to volunteer with Hope on a Thursday in 2004 and continued to do so all the way up to the covid lockdowns.
After the restrictions lifted she moved her office day to a Wednesday but still counts and catalogues donations and makes us all smile.
When asked about her most significant moment with Hope Against Cancer, the simple answer was “there have been quite a few”! She picked out the three major ‘Tour de Hope’ cycle rides that she had joined as a member of the support crew as particularly wonderful but what is more significant to Dorothy have always been the people.
Dorothy has met everyone who has ever worked for Hope and probably 99% of the volunteers too and the word she used was “camaraderie”. No matter who has come through our doors they have all been a part of the same cause and here to help however they can.
Her weekly ‘Hope Day’ has become an integral part of Dorothy’s life and her family are very supportive of her role and the work of the charity.
Her grandson William is also a regular volunteer, starting at the early age of eight when he asked Dorothy if he could hold a fundraising coffee morning. He went on to hold three such mornings and his achievements were featured in the Leicester Mercury.
As we mentioned earlier, Dorothy is also a poet and has, on occasion, composed retirement poems for those leaving the charity.
She was happy to share one with us...
Ode to Wendi – the volunteers perspective.
On this auspicious occasion
As we raise a glass or two,
We’d like to take time for reflection
On ten years at Hope and of you.
With a leaky roof and an answerphone
It began at Castle View
But with your powers of persuasion
Like Topsy ‘it just grew’.
You steered us through two summer balls
And likewise cycle rides,
Hope’s researchers came on board
With tea and broccoli.
By now we were running out of space
But thanks to DMU
Moved to Fielding Johnson’s Bishops’ house
Maybe home from home to you?
This produced a strange phenomenon
A pseudo-poltergeist attack,
Your correspondence missing
And recycling bin ransacked.
Over your misplaced purse and glasses
We quickly drew a veil
But losing other people’s specs
Was quite beyond the pale.
However DMU’s impending sale
Forced us to move once more
To our present home in Knighton Road
With your commands galore.
Desks that should be tidy
No eating up the stairs
And proceed slowly down the driveway
Was ringing in our ears.
But may we take this opportunity
To just point out to you
That racing along like Jacques Laffite
Does somewhat break the rules.
And there was the episode of the fire alarm
When you were heard to shout,
Dust having hit the proverbial fan
‘Everybody out!’
But we’ll miss your help and kindness
And united we agree
That we’ll miss the Cradock’s sandwiches
And the cups of builders tea.
