Prior to joining Rennie Grove, Jim had a long and happy working life which started with his national service with the RAF. This was followed by spells with engineering and electronic firms before he settled on landscape gardening which he did for 55 years.
Jim says: “Once I decided to retire and I sold the company, I was keen to find something to keep me busy.” He continued, “I saw Rennie Grove were looking for new volunteer van drivers and I thought this might be worth a go.”
Jim has always felt very connected to Rennie Grove as several years ago he had experienced first-hand the care our nurses gave to his mother when she became ill. Jim explains, “Mum was able to die at home which is what she wanted.” He continued, “Retiring freed up my time and I wanted to help a good cause – it felt right to give my time to the charity that had been there for my mother when she needed it most.”
Jim has always enjoyed driving vans, even more than cars, and he was very comfortable driving the Rennie Grove transit vans helping to deliver and pick up donated items from the shops across Bucks and Herts.
Jim has happy memories of enjoying tea and biscuits with the retail staff and volunteers on his visits and the friends he made with his teammate volunteers. He did recall an embarrassing incident, though, “I’d driven the van to the shop in Wendover and was unloading the bags from the back of van when I lost my balance and toppled out on to the high street. Luckily, I had a very soft landing onto the bags of donations, but I did have a bit of a red face when I picked myself up!”
Jim also kept the staff and volunteers at Bainbridge House well supplied with eggs from his chickens and a glut of seasonal vegetables from his garden.
Jim said, “I don’t regret any of it. I am glad I volunteered and have enjoyed every minute of it.” He added, “I don’t want to go but at 85 I think it’s time for me to put my feet up (or so my wife tells me!)”
When thanked for his time and dedication, Jim simply replied: “Just remember I enjoyed it too.”
“I don’t regret any of it. I am glad I volunteered and have enjoyed every minute of it."
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