Dedicated volunteer shows his everlasting support for the Hospice with tattoo
St Elizabeth Hospice has many dedicated volunteers, but Kevin Constance has proved his commitment to the cause by having the charity’s Tudor rose logo tattooed on his arm.
Kevin, 50, of Ipswich, has volunteered for the Hospice for nearly four years. He supports the catering team on a Saturday, prepping food, washing up and serving food to patients, visitors, staff and volunteers in the dining room and at patients’ bedsides.
He recently decided to have a permanent reminder of the Hospice inked on his arm.
He said: “I got the tattoo for two reasons: firstly, to tell people about the Hospice and what we do here and secondly for a couple of friends who have been cared for by the Hospice since I started volunteering here.”
Kevin found out about the Hospice from garden and chaplaincy volunteer, Jimmy Glennon, who told him how wonderful the Hospice was.
As a forklift driver doing shift work, Kevin didn’t have any time free during the week to volunteer, so he asked what volunteering roles were available at the weekend and was offered a job in the kitchen, despite having no catering experience.
“Since I started volunteering in the kitchen I have made a lot of friends, and I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything by working on a Saturday. I get on with everybody I work with and I often get to talk to the patients and their families.
“Once you come in the gates it seems different from the outside world, everyone is so nice and gets on. It’s like a community of its own.”
Graham Reid, Catering Manager, said: “Kevin is a superstar, he is just brilliant and I don’t know what we would do without him. I look forward to working at the weekend as I know I will be working with him.
“He’s a huge supporter of the Hospice and he’s made history by getting that tattoo – nobody else has a tattoo like that!”
Kevin, who recently turned 50, also fundraises for the Hospice when he can. For his special birthday he asked for donations to the Hospice in lieu of presents. He and his wife did the same for their 25th Wedding Anniversary and raised £400 previously.
Kevin also helps promote the Hospice in any way he can. He is a social media ambassador sharing the Hospice’s Facebook and Twitter updates with his friends and family to raise awareness.
To find out more about volunteering at the Hospice, click here