East Cheshire Hospice held its annual thank you party for the volunteers the Hospice relies upon heavily to keep services running smoothly.
Around 140 volunteers attended the event at Mottram St Andrew village hall.
The Hospice traditionally gives long service awards each summer to those who have reached another five years of service.
Some 35 helpers received an award this year in recognition of their efforts fulfilling various roles in the Hospice itself, out in the community, or supporting the four shops.
Volunteers recognised this time included the Hospice’s longest serving volunteer Moira Gregory (was Furmage), who has completed an incredible 35 years’ service helping on the inpatient unit, while David Black has clocked up an impressive 30 years.
David Black (left) with Will Spinks, Chair of the Hospice Board of Trustees, at the volunteer thank you party.
Volunteer Services Lead Angela O’Mahony said: “We are fortunate to have about 600 volunteers in total who give their time to us for free.
“This saves the Hospice valuable money and helps us deliver the high standards of service and care that we pride ourselves on. We thank them all for their amazing dedication.”
The Hospice has several volunteers who have completed more than 30 years’ service.
A total of 19 have been involved for more than 20 years, while 65 have been giving their time for at least 10 years.
David, from Macclesfield, is retired after spending most of his career with AstraZenaca.
He said: “It’s a privilege to help at the Hospice. It’s a wonderful place to work and feel part of that voluntary team.
“If we help the Hospice that’s good, but it’s also good for us to be doing it.
“I’ve worked mainly on the inpatient unit, carrying out general duties which include pushing the tea trolley round, doing whatever I can within my capability to help the nurses get on with their job.
“I am on a Sunday morning slot at the moment and quite a big part of it is just stopping and chatting with patients and relatives if they want a chat.”
“The going around with the tea trolley is the sort of entre to speak with people if they feel they want to talk.”