Marion, Volunteer of the Year, celebrates 25 years of fundraising | News

Marion Dante, who has been fundraising for Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust patients for a whopping 25 years, was named Volunteer of the Year at the Trust’s staff awards ceremony last month (November).

Marion, who turned 80 this year, regularly volunteers with the Fountain Centre to raise funds for the charity, which provides vital wellbeing support to Royal Surrey patients with cancer and their families.

She became inspired to volunteer after she was treated for breast cancer at the hospital in the mid-1990s. One of her radiologists, who subsequently went on to because one of the founders of the Fountain Centre, asked Marion for help raise money for a Royal Surrey team who were climbing Machu Picchu. Marion said:

“I got a huge amount of support during my treatment, and wanted to give something back.”

Marion’s fundraising initiatives have ranged from standing out in all weathers with collection tins to organising large-scale events and mobilising local volunteers and businesses. And her volunteering continues at full throttle.

Her commitment and impact was recognised at Royal Surrey’s annual staff awards ceremony, Royal Surrey Stars, after Susan Jordan, Income Generation Lead for the Fountain Centre, nominated her. Her nomination said:

“Marion embodies the spirit of selflessness and dedication, consistently prioritising the wellbeing of others. Her long-standing commitment to the Fountain Centre is a testament to her extraordinary character and unwavering dedication to making a difference.”