Long-serving Hospice volunteers honoured

Long-serving volunteers at St Elizabeth Hospice have received awards in recognition of their dedication.

Around 56 people have been given awards for long service of 20, 15, ten or five years.
An afternoon tea party was held at the Hospice, in Foxhall Road, Ipswich, where Felixstowe mayor Councillor Jon Garfield presented special badges.
The Hospice choir performed and Hospice chief executive Jane Loughlin gave a speech praising all the Hospice’s 600 volunteers.
She said: “We are absolutely indebted to the services of our multi-talented and dedicated volunteers. We really could not do it without you.”
Among those who were recognised were Julia Shoebridge and Sally Swinden, who have been ward helpers on the in-patient unit for 15 years.
Mrs Shoebridge, of Bentley, said: “I have time to sit and chat with the patients and their families and listen to them. It’s nice knowing you are able to help and it is a pleasure to be able to do so. A couple of years ago my dad died at the Hospice and that made volunteering even more worthwhile.”
Mrs Swinden, of Martlesham, said: “My father spent his last days in a Hospice elsewhere in the country and he was so well looked after that I wanted to give something back and as this was our local Hospice I made enquiries. It’s a wonderful atmosphere.”
Three years ago Sally gave up work as a secretary at Ipswich High School and decided to also volunteer at the day care centre on alternate Fridays. “It’s good to be able to help other people, you never know when you might be in that position and need others to help you,” she added.

Jane Horne, of Sizewell, received her ten year long service award for helping at the Hospice shop in Leiston. She said: It doesn’t seem like ten years ago. Everyone is really nice and I enjoy the work. I will continue to do it as long as I can.”
Friends Susan Robinson and Julie Clarke, both of Sproughton, have been helping at the Hospice’s distribution centre for five years.
Mrs Robinson said: “I had been fundraising for the hospice for over 20 years and volunteering at the distribution centre was a natural progression and seemed like a good idea at the time.”
Every Wednesday she also runs a stall at the Needham Market Antique and Collectors Centre selling antique or collectable donated goods she has hand-picked for the customers, and in just three months the stall raised £2,500 for the Hospice.
Mrs Clarke said: “I enjoy helping and I hope to continue doing it for a lot longer.”
Those long-serving volunteers who could not attend the event received their award by post with a special letter.

To find out more about volunteering contact Claire Lansley on 01473 707016 or email volunteer@stelizabethhospice.org.uk

Here is the full list of Long Service Award recipients

20 years
Shirley Gooding, Chaplaincy volunteer 
Margaret Rollins, Ward volunteer 

15 years
Tony Harper, Receptionist 
Joan Richold, Receptionist 
Julia Shoebridge, Ward volunteer 
Sally Swinden, Ward volunteer 

10 years
Jane Hamilton-Hunting, Shop volunteer – Woodbridge 
Peggy Hogsden, Shop volunteer – Hadleigh 
Jane Horne, Shop volunteer – Leiston 
Jenny Knight, Receptionist 
Valerie Lewis, Gardening and maintenance  
Evelyn McCoid, Shop volunteer – Hadleigh 
Sheila Pateman, Shop volunteer – Selkirk Road 
Merike Plumbly, Shop volunteer – Hadleigh 
Geoff Porter, Ward volunteer 
Felicity Ripman, Receptionist 
Mary Ryan, Shop volunteer – Stowmarket 
Jennifer Schofield, Shop volunteer – Stowmarket 
Carole Stewart, Ward volunteer 
Linda Tovey, Receptionist 
Lily Wright, Shop volunteer – Hadleigh 

5 years
Shirley Bateman, Shop volunteer – Felixstowe 
Sheila Blackwell, Receptionist 
Julie Brown, Receptionist 
Patricia Calver, Ward volunteer and Nacton Road shop volunteer 
Julie Clarke, Distribution centre volunteer 
Beryl Clow,Shop volunteer – Selkirk Road 
Sarah Craven, Ward volunteer 
Barbara Cribb, Shop volunteer – Nacton Road, Ips 
Pamela Curtis, Shop volunteer – Felixstowe 
Patricia Dixon, Shop volunteer – Selkirk Road 
Rosalind Gay, Receptionist 
Cath Grant, Receptionist 
Shirley Hazelwood, Ward volunteer 
Russell Howlett, Distribution centre volunteer 
Iris James, Ward volunteer 
Mavis Kempton, Shop volunteer – Hadleigh 
Irene King, Shop volunteer – Leiston 
Margaret Lury, Shop volunteer – Woodbridge 
Jill Mills, Ward volunteer 
Sonja Nestor, Ward volunteer 
Sarah Nicholl, Distribution centre volunteer 
Michael Pike, Volunteer driver 
Susan Robinson, Distribution centre volunteer 
Jenny Salmon, Shop volunteer – Selkirk Road 
Doreen Scott, Ward volunteer 
David Smith, Volunteer driver 
Jean Stewart, Shop volunteer – Selkirk Road 
Barbara Tryon, Shop volunteer – Hadleigh 
Elsie Wiles, Shop volunteer – Hadleigh 
Bertie Woods, Gardening and maintenance  



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