'Invaluable' long-serving hospice volunteers recognised

St Catherine's Hospice has been caring for people since 1985

Four volunteers at a Lancashire hospice who have clocked up more than a century of service between them have been praised for their dedication.

Wendy Barber, Pam Williams, Rita Hughes and Ann Leigh, have all helped out at St Catherine's Hospice in Preston for more than 25 years.

The hospice recognised their service at an annual awards event held to thank volunteers.

Kate Overend, director of people at the hospice, which has 600 volunteers, said: "They're absolutely amazing. We couldn't do what we do without their invaluable gift of time."

St Catherine’s cares for patients and families across Chorley, Preston and South Ribble who are affected by conditions including cancer, motor neurone disease and heart failure.

Ms Barber started as a volunteer there when she moved to the area from Yorkshire.

Pam Williams said volunteering at St Catherine's was "the best thing I have done since I retired"

"I had cancer when I was 15 so it was a way of giving something back," the 73-year-old said.

"I was welcomed with open arms and I've been here ever since."

Ms Williams, 77, explained how she started helping at the hospice after her own illness ordeal.

"I used to teach at Lancaster Girls Grammar School and I got breast cancer. I had to take anti-cancer drugs for five years," she said.

"After four years I just ground to a halt. I just couldn't drive from Chorley to Lancaster every day.

"So I had to give it up and it took me 18 months to fully recover."

She said she then realised she missed being part of an organisation and "kept hearing what a wonderful place St Catherine's Hospice was so I enrolled".

Wendy Barber said she volunteered as it was "her way of giving something back"

Ms Barber said it can be "very difficult" working on the hospice reception at times but it was very rewarding.

Ms Williams also urged others to take up volunteering.

"It's the best thing I have done since I retired," she said.

"You meet so many people, you have something different every day and you make lots a friends and social events.

"And it is a wonderful place for friendship."