HELPING HANDS

THESE INSPIRING AUSSIES ARE SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED

- Keeley Henderson

'WE'VE VOLUNTEERED MORE THAN 50 YEARS!'

You could say grandparents Jan and John Graham are part of the furniture at Western Sydney's Mount Druitt Hospital. The couple started volunteering there more than 50 years ago, after successfully lobbying for its construction in 1973. “We were a growing community and we could see that there’d be a need for one in the future,” Jan, 83, tells New Idea.

Today, Jan is a regular volunteer in the hospital’s gift shop, and she often does secretarial work behind the scenes too.

“You get a thrill out of knowing you’re helping other people,” she shares.

In an incredible coincidence, when Jan was diagnosed with bowel cancer 20 years ago, she was operated on in the hospital she helped build.

“I had about half of my bowel removed. I was treated marvellously. It’s just a beautiful hospital,” she says.

But the couple’s biggest challenge? How much they missed volunteering during COVID.

Jan, who has no plans to retire, says volunteering keeps life interesting.