When Kerry first arrived at Re‑Cycle, she brought with her a story of resilience, kindness, and a desire to reconnect with the world.
After losing her husband Charles on New Year’s Day 2024, and spending years as his full‑time carer, she found herself isolated and unsure of her next chapter. Meeting John — “a lovely Scotsman,” as she puts it — changed that. He introduced her to Re‑Cycle, and everything began to shift.
Finding purpose again
Volunteering grew into a vital source of purpose for Kerry. It gave her a reason to get up in the morning, helped rebuild her confidence, and opened the door to new friendships, new skills, and a renewed sense of purpose.
“The Re‑Cycle staff and volunteers are a wonderful community,” she says. “It’s like an extended men’s shed with five lovely ladies in the office and occasionally one or two other women in the warehouse. I love travelling to the warehouse through the rolling farmland and the opportunity to do so many different things when I arrive.”
Making an impact across the charity
Kerry is one of those volunteers who quietly becomes indispensable. She supports almost every part of our work:
- Warehouse support — prepping bikes for shipment to Africa, unloading deliveries, and helping keep operations running smoothly.
- Events & collections — promoting Re‑Cycle at community events, chatting to supporters, and attending pop‑up bike collections.
- Office volunteering — this year, she even joined the office team, creating a “mahoosive spreadsheet” of bike shops and hire businesses across the UK. This project will help us build alternative supply chains, strengthen logistics, and expand our partnerships.
Her enthusiasm, reliability, and willingness to try anything make her a treasured part of the Re‑Cycle family.
A community that lifts each other up
Kerry often tells us how much volunteering has helped her — but she’s helping us just as much.
We rely on volunteers like Kerry. Their time, skills, and dedication make everything we do possible — and Kerry embodies that spirit beautifully.
