In her younger years, charity work was a constant in Clifftina Bowen’s life. Marriage and a child didn’t change that. Long before their daughter Starr could volunteer herself, Mrs Bowen and her husband Gordon were ferrying her around with them as they delivered for Meals on Wheels.

Two years ago they began volunteering as a family, helping Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre whenever they could.

Their efforts were inspired by Starr. Having volunteered here and there she decided around the age of 14 that she was interested in a career in medicine.

“I wanted to do something that was specific to healthcare and so I started candy striping,” she said. “But I still wanted more, and so I went to Bermuda Cancer and Health.”

Encouraged by her efforts, her parents signed up as well.

“We had actually volunteered as a family, at WindReach, years ago,” Mrs Bowen said. “We enjoyed it but then we stopped for many years although Starr continued doing WindReach by herself.”

The Bowens help Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre whenever the charity needs assistance in preparing for meetings and presentations and at events such as its annual fundraiser, Relay For Life.

“We don't actually deal with any patients. We don’t see that side,” Mrs Bowen said.

“Because of Starr’s age, I leave that to the caregivers. She's young. Maybe when she gets older, she can decide to do that.”

Both she and her husband have full-time jobs but they love that charity offers time for them to be together while simultaneously giving back.

“It was fun helping the community as well as being able to support the organisation,” Mrs Bowen said of their early days with Bermuda Cancer and Health.

“So we just continued to help out and we actually also learnt. They have presenters and sometimes [we are there and able to listen] about cancer and how it impacts people; things that you should do to protect yourself from cancer. It also became interesting.”

Mrs Bowen’s love of volunteering began as a child.

“Growing up, I did a lot of community service and I really enjoyed it. I did candy striping. We had a charity called STAR, for people with HIV back in the day, and I volunteered for that. I became a Pink Lady. I really enjoyed it and I wanted my daughter to also have that experience,” she said.

“We also volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Starr was too young, so the only way we could do it was if we did it ― the parents.

“I used to drive and we used to deliver food to give her that exposure and also those social skills. She was shy at the time, and she really enjoyed it.”

Mrs Bowen believes it was that experience that helped Starr feel the same way about charity work as she does.

“That's why I think it started. I think my own love for it passed on to my daughter.

“Sometimes she was too young to volunteer so I had to help out initially. But I think that's what it was, just getting that exposure to what's out there in the community.”

Her advice to families who are like minded, but haven’t yet connected with a charity is to just get out there and do it.

“Try to find the time. Obviously we can't always, but we try our best to do it. I would say for them to just find something that they have a love for.

“We enjoy being together ― we have a lot of fun, we talk about our experience afterwards. And hopefully, for my daughter, it is going to build a lot of character, a lot of responsibility in her. I'm very proud of her.”

The Warwick Academy student is interested in a career in radiology or nursing.

“I’ve found that volunteering with Bermuda Cancer and Health has helped me develop a lot of my skills, especially communication. I was really shy when I was younger and it's helped me to break out of my shell and talk to others,” Starr said.