Peter Waddup, CEO - The Leprosy Mission Great Britain

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Volunteers are the lifeblood of The Leprosy Mission. Without their generosity of spirit, we would not be able to reach people in desperate need. People affected by leprosy are largely unseen to us here in the UK. But their plight has touched the hearts of our amazing volunteer team. It has moved them to give their time and talents to reach some of the most marginalised people on earth.

Volunteers' Week begins on Monday, a time to thank all those changing lives for the better across the UK. We celebrate everyone who gives their time to cure and bring hope to people affected by leprosy. People like our volunteer speakers, who bring to life the plight of forgotten people in far-flung parts of the globe. Or church representatives organising a fundraising event. From baking for a cake sale to leading a school assembly to running a 10K sponsored race, you are all incredible. Your efforts make a difference to so many.

As well as celebrating our GB volunteers, I will be remembering our volunteers in Asia and Africa. It can be easy to assume those giving their time and resources are blessed with health and wealth. But nothing can be further from the truth. The heart people affected by leprosy have to serve each other is deeply humbling.

I have travelled around Sri Lanka with members of the leprosy people's forum. They make it a full-time, yet unpaid, job to tell everyone that leprosy is curable and to watch out for early symptoms. They go into schools and also meet with village chiefs. They advocate on behalf of people treated unfairly because of prejudice surrounding leprosy.

These volunteers have been through so much physical and emotional hardship themselves. Yet they make it their life's work to pave the way to a better future for the next generation. This takes courage too, as many of these people have been cast out because of leprosy. Just thinking of their resilience and the generosity of their actions moves me to tears.

In Mozambique we have trained 807 volunteers as 'Leprosy Champions'. These are incredible people who share our vision of ending leprosy. Not only do they signpost people to treatment, but they also walk with them on their journey. Many Leprosy Champions, like Atia pictured, have had leprosy themselves. They know only too well the torment someone with suspected leprosy can go through. They are therefore perfectly placed to offer guidance, encouragement and reassurance.

The project has been hugely successful. In fact, half of all new leprosy cases diagnosed in the region have been referred by volunteers! What a legacy these volunteers have. They may not have earthly riches yet reap such a bountiful harvest in their generosity to others.