In February TV’s Robert ‘Judge’ Rinder was the star guest at Chai Cancer Care’s fortnightly Wednesday afternoon social. The socials are organised by longstanding volunteers Lynne Silver, Andee Roback and Barbara Freedman who were recently awarded the Volunteer Team of the Year award at the annual JVN Celebration of Volunteering Awards late last year.
Following the awards, Lynne had said, “13 years ago we started our Wednesday Afternoon Club… just four clients around a card table. Now we have created a family who laugh, sing, dance and chat, all within the safety and love of Chai’s huge heart. It’s wonderful to be able to help in a small way in the hope that for a few hours clients forget their troubles and smile.”
Seated for Judge Rinder’s visit, the room was packed out with clients mingling and taking selfies with the TV judge before taking ‘centre stage’ to speak to the attendees. The winning combination of his expertise and humour captivated the crowd as he gave an insightful and honest account of his journey as a young barrister to landing himself his own television show.
In an approachable and easy manner Judge Rinder encouraged the participants to ask a variety of questions in a lively Q&A. No question was off-limits, covering topics from his fascinating court cases, to his bubba “shepping nachas” when he was on Strictly Come Dancing.
Praising the support that Chai provides to its clients, Judge Rinder commented: “It isn’t possible for language, or even poetry, to express how amazing places like Chai are there for those of us whose lives are affected by cancer.”