It’s together that we make a difference by Rachael Geraghty - Supporter Care Officer
I joined Kidney Research UK at the beginning of July this year, and even though I’ve only been here a few months, I feel like I’m really part of a vibrant, thriving group of people.
I work in Supporter Care which means I’m part of the team that is dedicated to making the experience our fundraisers and supporters have of the charity as second to none. And I love that!
Although I came from a background in customer service, I had never worked in the charity sector before but every day I’m excited to see the difference the team makes for our supporters. The Supporter Care team does provide a frontline support service to fundraisers and supporters, however, more than that, the team offers inspiration and motivation through each and every activity a supporter is involved with. If it’s doing a bake sale, a car boot, a sponsored walk or the marathon, I want to help make the event a success, I want our supporters to be really excited by what they are doing, and to feel supported through it. Most of all, I want supporters to be proud of themselves for reaching or surpassing their fundraising targets.
My favourite part of the job is seeing the result of someone’s hard work and knowing I did everything I could to support them. From a supporter’s initial enquiry, through sending them a fundraising pack or their Kidney Research UK t-shirt, encouraging them in their training or helping them to set up their fundraising pages, there’s a day we get to when they run their race, climb their mountain, bake their cakes or hold their car boot.
I love it that our supporters can be proud of themselves and what they’ve achieved, yet knowing I helped play a part in their fundraising journey. While I am supporting their efforts; it’s together WE are making the difference. There’s a real sense of satisfaction for me in that.
It’s great to see photos of the event or occasion and ultimately to receive the hard-earned fundraising. What is most exciting about that is that I know, and the supporter knows that their fundraising will make a difference to the lives of people with kidney disease.
Already I have learnt so much about kidney disease and how it affects lives. Not just the patient but also their families and friends. I regularly hear from people impacted by kidney disease. Their stories are both heart breaking and heart-warming and hearing them drives me to want to do my job better and to the best of my ability every day. I LOVE coming to work here.
My role within the charity is so varied and so busy. The days and weeks have flown by and there is never a dull moment.
Later this month I’m looking forward to getting involved in the charity’s Halloween fundraising campaign, Fright for Good. The whole office is getting involved with this one – and that’s so fantastic!
Next year I will be going to the London Marathon and hopefully one of our Bridges Walks. I can’t wait to soak up the atmosphere, cheer all our participants on and thank them for raising incredible amounts of money.
I’m so glad I work here – I get to help supporters with their fundraising, and they get to help raise more money to fund research that is saving lives. And that’s a great thing to be involved with.