LETTER: Volunteers are lifeblood of charity organisations

WHEN was the last time you did something nice for someone else?

I'm not talking about holding the lift door open or leaving a tip at your local café, but setting aside time to help a group or organisation who is really making a difference in your community.

This week is National Volunteers Week and I think it's important to extend a huge thank you to the people who are not only changing the lives of those they assist through volunteering, but making their own lives happier and healthier.

At CPL, we are lucky enough to have hundreds of volunteers working with us every month, across all aspects of our organisation. In the past six months alone, Cerebral Palsy League volunteers gave more than 6,450 hours of their time to the organisation (which equates to more than $175,000!), and that is something for which we are extremely grateful.

Modern volunteering is not all about the sausage sizzle at Bunnings Warehouse or selling raffle tickets at Christmas.

You can still do all of that of course, but you can volunteer in many ways. Even your '9-5 skills' are invaluable in a range of ways - from graphic design and marketing; to IT and administration.

There is such a strong connection between volunteering and happiness, not just for those who offer their time to help others, but for the organisations, clients and their families who are grateful for the joy and compassion they bring.

I would like to say an enormous thank you to all Queensland volunteers, not just at CPL, who are changing people's lives and helping to make our state a better place for everyone.

Angela Tillmanns CEO of CPL