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