Meet our volunteer who is completing a fundraising triathlon

Introducing, Helen Johnson, our incredible fundraising volunteer!

Each month, we like to shine a light on someone who supports us on our mission towards ending the need for food banks. This month, we spoke to Helen Johnson, a long-time volunteer who has decided to raise money for our Foodbank by taking part in a triathlon in celebration of her 60th birthday. We hope you’ll join us in wishing her the best of luck! 

Read on to find out more about Helen, how you can support her in the lead up to her triathlon and why she decided to fundraise for the Foodbank…

Can you tell us about your background and life prior to joining the Foodbank?

I was born and raised in Nottingham and lived in Sheffield for a number of years while training as a doctor - this was my career for over 30 years. I moved to Cambridge 33 years ago after I met my now husband on holiday in Morrocco and we got married in 1992. I retired in 2018, which was when I first started helping out at the Foodbank. Like many other retired medical staff, I went back to work in 2020 to support during Covid before retiring for good in 2021.

What made you want to start volunteering at the Foodbank?

During my time working in Primary Healthcare, I sometimes worked with people who were supported by the Foodbank. Through that, I gained some understanding of the work the Foodbank does to support those facing hunger. When I retired I wanted to give back and support my local community and I knew that the Foodbank was the organisation that I wanted to be involved with. It keeps me busy and provides an opportunity for me to help people which is very rewarding.

What is your role when you volunteer at the Foodbank?

I volunteer at Chesterton Methodist Church Welcome Centre every other Tuesday morning where I welcome people in, find out what it is they need and provide them with an emergency food parcel. I also volunteer in the warehouse every Wednesday where I help to pack, sort and process the donations that we receive. Volunteering in the warehouse is slightly more physical than in the Welcome Centre, but this is actually helping me to prepare for my upcoming triathlon!

Can you tell us about the fundraising that you are doing for the Foodbank?

To celebrate my 60th birthday, I’ve decided to run a triathlon to raise some money for the Foodbank. I’ve been a runner for quite some time, but after getting an arthritis diagnosis in both my knees, I knew that my days of running marathons were over. I can still run about 10k, but the problem for me is that it doesn’t feel like too much of a task because I’m used to running longer. So, to make it more challenging, I opted to do a triathlon instead. I saw that there was an event in Nottingham, which is where I grew up, and it seemed like it would be a fitting location for my last race. In order to make it a bit more special, I have decided to invite people to donate to raise money for a cause that I’m incredibly passionate about.

How can people support you in the lead up to your triathlon?

Being retired and experienced in races like this, I have plenty of time to make sure that I’m fit and ready! However, any generous donations would be a massive boost and provide some extra inspiration for me to get over that finish line. After volunteering for around seven years, the Foodbank means a great deal to me, and I see first-hand how much of a difference our work can make to those on low incomes. By supporting me you’re also supporting them, so if you’re able to, I would be so grateful if you would consider donating to my Just Giving page.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not volunteering at the Foodbank?

At the moment, in order to prepare for my triathlon, I am, of course, doing a lot of running, swimming and cycling! I also love to knit and sew when I have some time to relax. My husband and I enjoy going on holidays together and, not long after my triathlon, we’re going on a guided tour in Central Asia for a few weeks which I’m very excited for.