Two children's hospices have celebrated the contributions of 104 supporters who have volunteered for up to 30 years. Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith children's hospices, which care for children with life-threatening conditions, have more than 600 regular volunteers. These volunteers assist with running the charity’s shops, fundraising, administrative roles, and maintaining the hospice gardens.
This year, special awards were presented to those who have dedicated three, five, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service to the charity. The awards ceremony was graced by the presence of two children helped by the charity, Esmay and Matilda, and their parents. The chief executive, Andy Goldsmith, acknowledged the volunteers' efforts and that their help in various aspects of the hospice's operations has enabled children with life-threatening conditions to live their best lives.
He said: "Every single volunteer helped children with life-threatening conditions to live their best life, whether that was helping to promote the services of the hospice to reach more children, helping to care for the children, or helping to raise the money needed to provide the care." Vice-chair of trustees, Barbara Evans, who has been volunteering for 34 years, presented the awards with chairman of trustees, Steve Henly. She said: "In the early days we had a dream of what the hospice could be and of how we could help local children.
"Now we have two hospices and 14 shops and are able to help hundreds of children.