Ulster Rugby vs Cardiff Blues

17 / 66

15
VOLUNTEER PROFILE Brenda volunteers for Ulster Rugby, as well as for our 2015/16
charity partner, Alzheimer’s Society...
NICKNAME:
Wee B
FAVOURITE SONG:
Uptown Funk - holds great memories of the
marathon walk this year. Dancing along the
Sydenham Bypass as it blasted out, making my
sister-in-law hide behind her hands!
FAVOURITE TV SHOW?
Only Connect
FAVOURITE ULSTER PLAYER?
Unfair question - they are all good!
WHAT’SYOURFAVOURITESPORTINGMEMORY?
Ulster Rugby - 1999. Need I say more?
WHOWOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A
LIFT WITH?
A lift engineer!
TELL US AN INTERESTING FACT:
I am shameless when it comes to promoting
Alzheimer’s Society, even raising awareness by
wearing my branded jersey while on holiday in
Hawaii this year! (pictured)
WHAT SORT OF VOLUNTEERING ARE YOU
INVOLVED IN?
I have been helping out Ulster Rugby over the past
few years - selling calendars, collecting donations
and even helping people figure out how to get their
print-out to scan the barcode reader at the gates! I
have found that a bit of chat and a great big smile
increases the positive experience for all supporters,
as well as generating a bit of extra money into my
bucket!
WHAT MADE YOUWANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER?
I enjoy rugby and have been happy to help as
needed over the past few years. I was delighted
when my two passions came together this year
and I decided to formalise the volunteering
relationship and really get involved as a member
of the Charity Action Team. I have been an
accredited volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Society
in excess of six years. Having received help from
them from my mother’s diagnosis until her death
I wanted to support other families experiencing
the same or similar issues to us. I started with
fundraising and now help with the Memory Walk,
volunteer recruitment and I am a Dementia Friendly
Communities Champion - basically, any area of
need where I can assist.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY PARTICULAR HIGHLIGHTS
WHILE VOLUNTEERING?
I’ve had a few highlights so far, such as getting to
meet Chris Henry and Iain Henderson and talking
to other volunteers and rugby fans from all over the
country. I think I am most looking forward to the
‘Don’t keep it under your hat’ night against Cardiff
Blues. This is a great opportunity for people to start
talking about dementia and for everyone to join in
by wearing a funky hat or a cool cap!
For more information on Dementia
Friendly Communities, please visit:
MEET BRENDA BROWN