Charity pays tribute to tireless volunteers with celebratory tea party (From Gazette Series)

Gloucestershire charity pays tribute to tireless volunteers with celebratory tea party

11:00am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News By Lucy Fulford

A GLOUCESTERSHIRE charity paid tribute to its tireless volunteers at a special tea party in their honour.

Every year volunteers donate more than 45,000 hours of their time to Cotswold Care Hospice, which works to help people living with life limiting illness.

More than 60 volunteers were guests of honour at a tea party held at the hospice in Minchinhampton on Tuesday, November 27.

Jules Eaton, chief executive of Cotswold Care Hospice, expressed her gratitude to the volunteers.

"We couldn’t even contemplate doing what we do without you," she said.

"Not only do you provide countless hours of support but you bring something that money can’t buy – you always make people feel so welcome."

Volunteers work in a variety of roles including in the charity’s shops, at the hospice, in administration and at fundraising events.

Mary Chancellor, from Wotton-under-Edge, is a trained aromatherapist who has been volunteering at the charity for four years.

She said: "I simply love it here."

Keith Bates, from Stroud, started volunteering in the art room after a friend had cancer and did painting at the hospice. He has now been volunteering for the past eight years.

He said: "I enjoy meeting people and seeing people who have never done art before getting hooked."

To find out more about volunteering contact Suzi McDonnell on 01453 733700 or suzie.mcdonnell@cotswoldcare.org.uk.