Medway hospital volunteer celebrates 90th birthday

Dotty Rust has been volunteering at Medway Maritime Hospital for nearly 24 years

A Kent hospital volunteer has celebrated her 90th birthday and said she has no plans hang up her lanyard.

Dotty Rust, who passed the milestone at the end of last month, has been walking the corridors at Medway Maritime Hospital for nearly 24 years.

The nonagenarian, who has lived in Chatham for more than 50 years, said she "wanted to keep doing something" after retiring from the wages department at a Gillingham firm 30 years ago.

"People ask how long I will carry on volunteering for and I say I will know when the time is right to hang up my volunteering badge," she said.

Ms Rust also previously volunteered at a hospital in Chatham for four years

Hospital volunteers often provide practical help to patients, such as helping them sign in, as well as meeting and greeting families and visitors.

Ms Rust said she offered her time "to meet and help people".

"The other day I walked somebody to where they needed to go - she apologised for being slow as she was 86," she said.

"I said it was fine, I was 89 and we could walk slowly together. That was why I was there - to help her."

Jayne Black, chief executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said she was "in awe" of Ms Rust "and indeed all our volunteers' commitment for giving their time and helping us provide high-quality, compassionate care".

"They really do a fantastic job and I am incredibly thankful," she added.