28 October 2010
Peter Aldous will be leaving his day job and taking to the shop floor on Saturday in a bid to encourage more people to volunteer for Barnardo’s.

The MP will be rolling up his sleeves and volunteering at the Barnardo’s shop in Lowestoft as part of national Make a Difference Day.

Make a Difference Day is on Saturday 30 October 2010, but tens of thousands of would-be volunteers across the UK will be giving up their time between 23 October to 6 November 2010 in support of local charities.

Barnardo’s has more than 6,000 volunteers who work in the charity’s retail department ensuring vital funds are raised to support vulnerable children, young people and families.

Peter Aldous said:
“I am pleased to be able to spend some time volunteering with Barnados as an admirer of the important work they do to help vulnerable children, young people and families and encourage anyone else who feels they could make a difference by offering some time to do the same. Credit to the people who give up so much of their time to such a good cause. This is the ‘Big Society’ in action.”

Make a Difference Day is an annual event organised by UK volunteering charity, Community Service Volunteers (CSV). It encourages people to get a taster experience of volunteer work. It is also an ideal opportunity to meet other people in your local area and make a big difference to your local community. MPs across the UK have signed up to the Make a Difference Day initiative by showing their commitment to volunteering.

Those unable to give time to CSV Make a Difference Day can still participate by donating quality goods to a shop or by supporting Barnardo’s volunteer charity collectors.