Cécile Farber, our Community Fundraising Manager, gives a huge thank you to our amazing pin badge volunteers, for the incredible work they’ve done this year despite all the challenges of 2020!
The least we can say, is that 2020 was a challenging year for community fundraising. With the first lockdown, we had to cease our usual operations while you, our volunteers, stayed at home and a large part of our team went on furlough.
We saw the nation coming together, clapping for our key workers and people giving their time and energy to aid those in the community who most needed it. We found ourselves talking to you about bird sightings and the unfolding of Spring rather than the new release of pin badges and how well your boxes were doing. When it was time to restart our operations, we were overwhelmed with the enthusiasm you showed to come back.
Our colleague, Anna Canvin, felt inspired by the rainbows everywhere, and made her own to celebrate the key workers.
We know it’s been a difficult situation to come back to: many of our sites are not able to host their pin badge box in the current climate, we missed our entire Summer season, and income has been low in remaining boxes. Despite all this though, many of you have remained with us.
To the RSPB and to our team more personally, you are vital members of our workforce. You are the face of RSPB Scotland in your local area, bringing in a much-needed financial contribution while being fantastic ambassadors of what we do and stand for. From Shetland to Gretna Green, we’ve seen you manage your boxes, armed with your face mask and hand gel, always prioritising the health and safety of others. You very much are community fundraising heroes!
One of our volunteer, Chris Atkins, kept us entertained through the summer with fantastic photos of his local wildlife in Shetland.
We’ve also had to bid farewell to some of you. Whether working in the health and care sectors, having underlying health issues, or being currently unable to juggle work and family life in these strange times, we understand it’s not always possible to keep your volunteering going. Whatever the reason, there is no easy way to say goodbye, or to put into words the gratitude we feel for your time and commitment. It’s been lovely to have you in our team, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Looking at 2021, we feel hopeful. The rolling out of the new vaccine is fantastic news, and we could see community fundraising bouncing back very quickly. We are also looking at developing our cashless and online options, to diversify our income channels and make community fundraising even more accessible and inclusive. So to finish this year, please have a toast for each other, and for the amazing work you’ve done this year. We will come back stronger than ever!
https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering-fundraising/fundraise/become-a-pin-badge-volunteer-fundraiser/