Volunteer ‘Superstar’ Put Into The Spotlight

A Chester man who has been hailed as ‘superstar’ by a Chester charity has been put into the spotlight during National Volunteers Week.

Long-standing DSN supporter and Chester Deaf Club member Mike Ritchie. Mike is being celebrated this week by the Cheshire and North Wales sensory loss charity, thanks to his determined and dedicated work for the organisation.

Mike is not only the dedicated coach to the recently reformed Chester Deaf Football Club, but most recently Mike has been a great support to the deaf and older community across the district too.

Operations Executive Gill Reeder said: “We recently secured funding to enable us to purchase iPads to enable those in isolation to communicate better with our services and the outside world. Mike has travelled across Cheshire and North Wales helping us deliver and explain the use of the iPads which has been such a huge help.”

Mike not only delivered the iPads, but has been on hand to help with welfare calls with the BSL community via FaceTime. WhatsApp and Skype and has even bought jigsaws for those alone from his own pocket, throughout the Covid-19 Lockdown crisis too.

Carol Berry, Volunteer Coordinator said: “Mike is an invaluable part of the team here at DSN and we want to thank him for all he does. He’s a true volunteer superstar!”

 If you have been inspired by Mike's story and would like to volunteer, please contact Carol Berry via email CBerry@dsnonline.co.uk.