North Devon Hospice thanks its volunteers

THE North Devon Hospice thanked volunteers from the past 25 years at a one-off event at St John's Garden Centre last Friday.

More than 140 volunteers, past and present, attended the event which took place to celebrate the charity's 25th anniversary.

Volunteers were fundamental to the success of the hospice when it was founded in the early 1980s and even today volunteers provide around 160,000 hours of their time every year.

Dr John Womersley chairman of the trustees, paid tribute to the many volunteers, whose numbers include himself.

He said: "I am honoured to have this opportunity to thank our volunteers for what they have done for us in the past quarter of a century, and what they will continue to do for us in the future.

"We care for over 100 local people every day, and without you this just wouldn't be possible."

One past volunteer who attended the event was Ruth Reynolds who took the minutes as the secretary at the very first hospice meeting in 1981.

She said: "When we first met in 1981 to talk about the possibility of local hospice care, we had no idea how much support we would get from local people.

"It is wonderful to hear how the hospice has grown and that our vision from the early days has now become a reality."

Hospice president, The Right Reverend Robert Evens, Bishop of Crediton, added: "To stand here today and think of the thousands of hours that have been given freely by people over the years to North Devon Hospice is truly humbling.

"Your love, devotion and motivation have meant the world of difference to many patients and families throughout North Devon for the last 25 years."

For more information visit www.northdevonhospice.org.uk.