My mum, Pamela Breslin volunteered as a teacher for two years at Raphael when Raphael first opened.
She volunteered after hearing Sue Ryder and Leonard Cheshire talk while they were in Sydney in the late 1950s about the new home they were wanted to set up in India.
She signed up to volunteer. Mum had worked with children with disabilities in Newtown, NSW.
She met amazing people also volunteering at Raphael; Anne Boyd and Barbara Coleman.
The experience has had such a positive experience on our lives.
Debora Harrison RCA Facebook comments 06.04.2024
Pam was the first Australian volunteer, in 1960s, with Barbara Coleman popping in and out during tenure with the Cheshire Homes. Everywhere, Pam raised funds for Ryder-Cheshire. Ava Dhar and Mrs Rawlley known as Aunty Dot described Pam as a beautiful, exuberant girl.
Pam was at Raphael when Bhola first arrived in a Tonga from the railway station. In 2009 at Raphael’s Golden Jubilee, Bhola recognised her and called her ‘teacher’ which brought floods of tears particularly as they had not seen each other for many years.
Pam corresponded with me as I completed my nursing g training and inspired me to volunteer for Raphael in 1964.
Anne Boyd (dec) p 6 The Red Feather May 2019