FOUR dedicated volunteers from Havering are being celebrated and thanked by Saint Francis Hospice for their long-standing support.
Ron Ayris, from Upminster, Mary Campbell, from Romford, and Paul Freedman MBD, from Hornchurch, were each presented with a certificate to mark more than 20 years' service.
Ron drives patients between home and the day hospice and also helps the estates team, Mary helps with fundraising and Paul helps out on the inpatient unit serving refreshments and talking to patients and families each Christmas.
The four were honoured at the hospice on Wednesday, June 5 – the first of three thank you evenings that coincide with National Volunteers Week.
Ron, 86, originally started volunteering for the hospice after his sister-in-law was cared for.
"Over the 20 years I reckon I've driven 46,000 miles on behalf of the hospice and I'm still happy to help now," said Ron.
Joyce Jones, from Upminster, has been a volunteer since 1988, a year after her husband died.
She began her volunteering work at the hospice as a ward visitor but later joined the bereavement counselling team before working in the hospice shop where she can be found on Tuesday evenings.
"I feel the hospice is the most valuable thing we have in this area" she said. "At the hospice patients are given individual care and allowed to live comfortably."
Gill Wendelken, voluntary services manager, said: "Volunteers are a valuable part of Saint Francis Hospice and the life experiences they bring with them are priceless.
"The support of people willing to give their time for free and share their skills enables us to care for so many patients and relatives a year and keep up with the administration, gardening, fundraising and other areas they support."
