Actress helps honour dedicated volunteers

The hard work and generosity of more than 40 long-serving volunteers was recognised at a special event at Dorney Lake Rowing Centre on Tuesday (6 June).

We put on a Volunteer Afternoon Tea, which saw more than 200 Thames Hospice volunteers enjoy music, food and drink to mark National Volunteers Week a celebration of the contribution of volunteers, run by the National Council for Voluntary organisations (NCVO).

Thames Hospice Ambassador, actress Anita Dobson, was the special guest - awarding long-service badges to people from across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire who have volunteered for the organisation for 10, 20 or 30 years.

Jennifer Bird, Thames Hospice Head of Volunteering, said: "We had a fantastic day celebrating Volunteers Week in such a beautiful setting. We hope the event went some way to expressing how thankful we are that volunteers donate their time to Thames Hospice without them we wouldn't be able to reach and support as many local people as we do. Thames Hospice Ambassador, Anita Dobson, was an absolute delight to have with us and we'd like to extend that thanks to her for the time she gives to support us."

The Volunteers receiving their 30-year Awards were Joy Collinson, a Kitchen Assistant, and Adele Silvey, a Craft Assistant, who both volunteer at the Hospice, in Windsor, as well as Sheila Whiteman, a Retail Assistant at Thames Hospices Vintage & Retro shop, in Windsor, and Prue Marsh, a Retail Assistant at our Sunninghill shop. Ruth Jones, a Laundry Assistant at the Hospice, in Hatch Lane, was awarded for 20 years service and 12 volunteers achieved 10 years service.

Afternoon tea was served and there were speeches from Thames Hospice board members and Anita, as well as an uplifting performance from Windsor and Maidenhead Rock Choir, before the awards were given.

Speaking on the day, Anita Dobson said: "I am so privileged to be able to award the people who give their time so selflessly to Thames Hospice - you deserve every accolade you get. I'm very proud to have been asked to be a part of this special occasion."

Find out more about volunteering, by clicking here.