THE Joseph Weld Hospice celebrated National Volunteers' Week by saying a big thank-you to its 110 voluntary workers.
The unpaid heroes and heroines of the Dorchester hospice got together for tea and cakes after giving hours of their time to help its patients, by making their tea, doing their hair, or simply having a chat.
The hospice, in Herringston Road, cares for 18 resident patients and hundreds more day care patients, giving them peace and therapy in their final months, weeks or days.
Volunteers are an essential part of that care, driving the day centre patients to and from their homes, arranging the flowers that brighten up each corner of the hospice, and manning the reception.
Many of them come from miles away to work unpaid for the hospice, but they say the rewarding nature of the work makes it worth the long drive in.
Two of its long serving volunteers, Dorothy Brown and Jean Blow, both turned 80 last week and were presented with bouquets of flowers - Dorothy makes the
26-mile round trip from her home in Winterborne Whitechurch regularly to man the reception desk.
She said: "I've been working here six-and-a-half years and it is so rewarding.
"I like speaking to the people who come here, their relatives and their friends. I lost my husband to cancer 25 years ago, when we lived in Cornwall, and there was nothing like this hospice then.
"After he died, I started to work as a bereavement counsellor for Cruise. Then I came here and heard about the hospice - I thought this was just what I wanted to do."
Jean, from West Walks, Dorchester, said: "I started about the same time as Dorothy and I do the wards, clean up the kitchens, or whatever needs doing.
"I've been nursing all my life, so when I retired I wanted to carry on working with nurses."
Two women come in almost every day to freshen up the floral displays around the hospice.
Penny Wykes-Sneyd, from West Compton, and Geraldine Crowhurst, from Broadmayne, both keen flower arrangers, say they love the work.
Penny said: "Somebody will always say thank you to me whenever I've been here - it really makes you feel appreciated."
Geraldine said: "We're all so happy coming here, there's a lovely atmosphere."
Frank Nicoll, from Owermoigne and Richard Noble, from Broadmayne, drive the minibus around to collect day care patients each morning and drop them off in the afternoon.
Frank said: "I was introduced to this by my next door neighbour, who was a volunteer, but latterly a patient here."
Richard said: "I never cease to be amazed at the number of people who put in so many hours."
David Pinder, general manager at the hospice, said: "Over 100 dedicated volunteers carry out a wide range of tasks to support patients, their families and the hospice.
"Their tremendous commitment, care and concern are of inestimable value."
Although the hospice has many volunteers, many of them are not able to go in every week and there is still a need for more people to swell the ranks.
Anyone who would like to offer some time as a volunteer should contact Shirley Annear on (01305) 251052 for an interview.
