I did not set out to become a humanitarian, but perhaps like many I always had a little bit of altruism somewhere inside (deep inside). However the practicalities of life, and perhaps also lack of courage, got in the way, so I took the traditional (easy) option and created a ‘mainstream’ life.
To all intents and purposes, I was a regular bloke with a regular life; family, job, mortgage, and worries. I was also very happy because I had an amazing and loving wife, two incredible children and we had dreams for the future. We were even beginning to live them, however in 2019, after 34 years together, all that changed when my wife was killed and almost all of our hopes and dreams were shattered.
In trying to deal with my grief, support our children and come to terms with what this tragedy meant, I started volunteering; I knew that there were others with challenging lives, often worse off than me – would experiencing that first-hand help me cope? It did. A lot. Then along came Covid-19 and I found myself volunteering more and more. The feeling of satisfaction was tangible and in sharp contrast to my day-job. I soon began to question its value and when it began to get in the way of my volunteering, the next step was obvious. So I put the man behind me and started to shape my new career; humanitarian volunteer.
But I am more inspired to help by my beloved wife, who spent her entire career caring for and serving others, as a Nurse. Though she was not just any nurse; in 2007 her innovative work in Primary Care led to national acclaim, being voted Nurse of the Year. I am so proud of her and what she achieved, that becoming a humanitarian after her death was probably a done-deal; my small homage.