Meet the Turners: Keeping volunteering in the family
28th September 2026
Meet the Turner family. Mum Nicola, and her children Frazer (14) and Clarissa (12). If you have been to local events such as the Dorset County Show, Summerfest, or Weldmar’s own Summer Fete, you have probably seen them in action, volunteering with our fundraising team.
Nicola first started helping out at the charity’s Music by the Lake event in 2024, and subsequently put herself forward for a few other events here and there, sometimes with Frazer and Clarissa. But when a close family friend needed Weldmar’s care and spent their final days in the hospice, it became much more meaningful, and they stepped up their efforts.
“We’ve seen the difference that Weldmar can make,” says Nicola. “It’s a good way for us to feel like we’re giving back, because of how much they’ve helped out family and people close to us.”
“At the time you’re going through that, it’s so overwhelming. Weldmar bring a unique empathy and understanding which you don’t get anywhere else. There’s a personal touch. The hospice is a welcoming place - it doesn’t feel like a hospital, it’s more homely.”
At events, Nicola, Frazer and Clarissa will run games such as ‘Crack the Code’, tombola, and the rather noisy and energetic human fruit machine! At the annual Summer Fete at the hospice, they have taken over running the cake stall and even get baking themselves, encouraging extended family and friends to also contribute something tasty. The next time you visit the Summer Fete, Clarissa’s lemon drizzle cake is highly recommended!
Frazer has also been clocking up extra volunteering hours for his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award by helping Fran—our Community Outreach Coordinator—raise the profile of the charity in towns and villages across Dorset by handing out leaflets and our magazine. Frazer says that due to his family’s experience, he knows how ‘worthwhile’ it is volunteering for Weldmar, because ‘they treat people so well’.
Nicola says it means a lot that Fraser and Clarissa are involved, developing confidence and communication skills, and that they are welcomed by the Weldmar team. The family say it’s ‘fun’ and ‘enjoyable’ to volunteer for Weldmar, and that they ‘always will’.
Thank you Nicola, Frazer, and Clarissa – and other members of the family who are occasionally roped in to help too!
Fundraising volunteers gave 6,039 hours of their time last year! That saved Weldmar an amazing £76,091*
*1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026, based on National Living Wage
