We are deeply saddened by the passing of our much-loved volunteer Derek Bond.
Derek volunteered with Caring Together Charity for well over a decade and was always ready to help however he could, with a big smile, a great sense of humour, and a warm greeting for anyone he met.
From representing Caring Together at Golden Age fairs to attending many other events and meetings to spread awareness of the charity, he was happy to turn his hand to any task.
Derek was particularly well known for his support at our Wisbech carers’ hub, still volunteering until last August when he sadly had to step back due to his health, and is deeply missed by those who met him.
We spoke to Derek’s son Dean to discover more about his dad and why volunteering was so important to him. We are grateful to Dean for giving his time and send him our condolences.
Born-and-bred in Hackney London, Derek moved with his wife Ann to Manea in 1978. They adopted Dean (and his brother Craig) and he felt an immediate connection that summed up the warmth and positivity many knew his dad for.
He said: “I was being fostered at the time, and even from our first meeting, he was lifting me up and putting me on his shoulders, He was just fun from the outset.”
Having initially been a bus driver, Derek gained an electrical engineering qualification and worked at Doddington Hospital, where his caring side was highlighted by arranging for old equipment to be sent for use in hospitals in Zimbabwe.
Unfortunately, after suffering nerve damage to his arm in a work accident, he was forced to take early retirement.
But alongside the many hobbies Derek enjoyed, from classic cars to model railways, he also loved meeting people and helping them, so volunteering for local causes became a calling.
Dean said: “He was a genuinely caring person and just loved to chat to people, tell a story and see how they were doing.
“He really thrived on that and the feeling he was making a difference. It was like instant gratification for him.
“Dad could walk in and light up a room and be the centre of attention, but not in an arrogant way. So many people knew him, and he just liked to be relaxed, silly, funny, and for the people around him to feel the same.
“He had no qualms about talking to anyone, whether they were homeless or millionaires. He taught me that people are people, titles and riches do not matter.”
“Dad was very pleased if he could make you smile. If you were feeling down and he made you feel better, that made his day.”
Derek may not have realised at the time, but as a child, he played a caring role for his diabetic mum Rose, giving insulin injections and running errands for her.
He also cared for his wife Ann, who suffered with chronic fatigue syndrome ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), and in her final years before sadly passing in 2020 due to a battle with a calcific brain tumour.
Dean feels this combination of experiences gave his dad a particular empathy towards unpaid carers and why he loved helping Caring Together in any way he could.
As a wonderful gesture, donations from attendees at Derek’s funeral went to Caring Together.
Dean concluded: “He would want to be remembered for making a difference in people’s lives and making them happy. He was just so committed to caring for other people.”
If you would like to make a donation in memory of Derek or someone else who has been special to you, please visit our Memory page where you can tell us about the person your gift is in memory of.
Or if you have been inspired to get involved in volunteering, please visit our Volunteering page.
