Joy McKinstry is a volunteer driver for Sweet Louise. She’s one the special volunteers who help support our members with incurable breast cancer.
“Some years ago, an acquaintance told me that she was driving for Sweet Louise. I was very interested and thought this was something I could help with.”
Joy helps drive Sweet Louise members to the member meetings – the face-to-face support groups where members get the chance to meet and chat with others in their community who are facing the same challenge of living with incurable breast cancer.
“I enjoy helping others,” says Joy. “I enjoy seeing the pleasure the members get out of these meetings, which enable them to talk with others who are going through the same thing as they are.
“Sweet Louise is a wonderful charity to help with. By volunteering, you help others who are might be struggling and your services are really appreciated by both the members and by the team at Sweet Louise.
“It gives me great pleasure to help.”
“I am retired now and I have been happily married to my husband, Derek, for almost 50 years. My husband has now offered to help with driving too, which I think is very nice.
“I also volunteer every week at a local low decile school to help the children with reading.
A few years ago, I spent a week in the Yasawa Islands in Fiji doing voluntary work at the local schools to help with reading and it was a very rewarding experience.
When she isn’t volunteering, Joy likes to garden and spend time with her five grandchildren. She also loves riding her bike.
“I only learnt to ride 12 years ago and have since become addicted, which is great! We’ve done many of the cycle tours in New Zealand and last year we cycled 1,046km in Germany.
“My husband and I have a saying of “you have to do it while your body lets you” as none of us know what is around the corner.”
Sweet Louise would like to thank Joy and all our volunteers for their huge contribution. Your ongoing support makes such a huge difference to members and Sweet Louise.
