With more than 20 years of experience volunteering, Jimmy has dedicated countless hours to supporting others, sharing his knowledge and helping fellow fundraisers to develop their skills.
So, what inspires someone to give so much of their time to volunteering? For Jimmy, it’s a combination of a love of fundraising, a desire to help others and, as he says, being Irish and enjoying a good chat!
“Fundraising is always changing and it’s a great environment to develop and learn with new ideas and concepts, fundraisers are innovators and I like to learn from this and if I can help I will. I’m also Irish and I like talking so that helps!”
Sharing knowledge and helping others flourish
One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering for Jimmy is seeing others grow in confidence and put their learning into practice. Whether mentoring, delivering training or offering advice, he believes that sharing knowledge can help others find their own way to succeed.
He recognises that everyone approaches things differently, adding: “if I have gained the skills and can help – why not pass them on as no one really copies – they just interpret differently!”
This philosophy is particularly evident in his work supporting fundraisers with applications to Trusts and Foundations. Helping people develop their skills is rewarding in itself, but hearing that their hard work has paid off makes it even more special.
“Having people contact me six months after training to say they have been successful is always great news.”
Making a difference, one opportunity at a time
Ask Jimmy about memorable volunteering moments, and he admits that there are “too many to list”.
Among them is helping his local sports club secure floodlights for its pitch – a practical example of how sharing time, knowledge and experience can make a lasting difference to a community.
But for him, the impact of volunteering goes beyond individual achievements. It’s also about giving others the confidence to take an idea, make it their own and run with it.
As he puts it, “I volunteer because I believe I can help and if I can I will, it is very fulfilling and brings me closer to the cause.”
That sense of connection is at the heart of his commitment. By volunteering, he can support causes he cares about while helping others make a difference in their own communities.
Why should you get involved?
For anyone thinking about volunteering, Jimmy’s advice is simple: do it!
“Do it – it’s very rewarding and you’ll meet lots of lovely people who will help as well. You’ll learn and be inspired and generally take a few ideas from every meeting!”
You don’t need to have all the answers to get started. Sometimes, simply being willing to share what you know, listen to others and offer a helping hand can make all the difference.
What’s next?
Despite more than two decades of volunteering, Jimmy is still finding new ways to share his passion for fundraising.
Next on his volunteering calendar is delivering the CIOF Introduction to Fundraising course in Northern Ireland in November – another opportunity to support fundraisers, share knowledge and help others build their skills and confidence.
A huge thank you to Jimmy for his continued commitment, generosity and contribution to the fundraising community.