Sheffield: City luminaries praise SVP fundraiser

Ralph Dickins

Source: SVP

Lord Blunkett has led tributes to charity fundraiser Ralph Dickins, who has raised over £1 million for vulnerable people in the city, as he retires from the St Vincent's Furniture Store in Sheffield.

Since 2003, Ralph Dickins, 81, has been the part-time fundraiser for the St Vincent's Furniture Store at 280 Queens Road, which has collected and redistributed recycled furniture and household items to the city's vulnerable and disadvantaged people since 1987. During his 18-year fundraising tenure at St Vincent's, Ralph and the team have helped tens of thousands of families and individuals to rebuild their lives.

Ralph, who describes his time at St Vincent's as an "honour", adds: "Many of the people we support have been moved into accommodation with absolutely nothing. They come from all sorts of backgrounds and situations. We give them the essentials which make a house a home, and from there they can begin the process of getting their lives back together. It's a privilege to be part of their journey."

Following the sale of his family's commercial printing business in Sheffield, Ralph, who has been a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) volunteering charity for 52 years, wanted to turn his local knowledge and talents to good use. He gained experience of fundraising through lectures held by the South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau, and his business acumen allowed him to expand funding for St Vincent's Furniture Store, Sheffield.

Ralph says: "I joined the SVP aged 30. It was a family tradition; my father and brother were also members at Our Lady and St Thomas SVP Conference in Hallam. SVP members change the lives of others by doing the little things very well. We give people what they need to change their lives for the better. Sometimes it's friendship, at other times it might be a food parcel or household essentials. Whatever we do, we do it with compassion and without judgement."

Ralph's work in the community has been applauded by the city's luminaries. Bishop Ralph Heskett, Bishop of Hallam, says: "I am delighted to offer my thanks and good wishes to Ralph as he steps down from his role of fundraiser for St Vincent's Sheffield - a role he has carried out with great dedication over the years.

"St Vincent's Furniture Store does great work among the poorest of Sheffield. This would not be possible without the resources to do it. Ralph has worked tirelessly over the past 18 years to ensure that those financial resources are in place.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the many who have benefited from the work of the store over the years, I say, 'Thank you, Ralph!'"

Mike O'Callaghan, former Chair of the St Vincent's Sheffield Management Committee, adds: "Ralph embodies the spirit of the St Vincent de Paul Society. He has always gone above and beyond and raised an incredible amount of money for St Vincent's Sheffield. He has inspired me to enjoy and appreciate the wider work of the SVP."

Ralph's fundraising has included a number of charity events which have been attended by dignitaries including Ann Widdecombe, Lord Sir Bob Kerslake and former Home Secretary Lord David Blunkett, who says: "The city of Sheffield owes Ralph Dickins a deep debt of gratitude for his decades of tireless work supporting anyone in need. He has selflessly given his time and skills to raise money for St Vincent's Sheffield, and in doing so he has helped thousands of people to live a better life and regain their dignity. I would personally like to thank Ralph for his service to the people of Sheffield."

SVP President Helen O'Shea concludes: "Ralph has been the cornerstone of St Vincent's Sheffield for over 18 years. His ceaseless efforts have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to help those in need in the city. He has also given selfless service to the people of Sheffield as an SVP member for over half a century. His determination and talent will be sorely missed by St Vincent's Sheffield. I wish him a well-deserved and happy retirement."

For more information or to donate to the SVP's Rise to the Challenge campaign, go to www.svp.org.uk/rise, @SVPEnglandWales (#SVPRiseChallenge) or telephone 020 7703 3030.