Over 140 volunteers, who support the staff and patients at St. Joseph’s Hospice, attended a special celebration event last night (6 July), in the hospice gardens, to thank and reward them for their many years of dedication and commitment.

Gardeners, receptionists, aromatherapists, shop volunteers, kitchen assistants and fundraisers all give up their own valuable time to help the hospice and enable it to provide the best possible care to patients.

This year marks a milestone for the hospice as it celebrates 55 years since Father Francis O’Leary founded St. Joseph’s Hospice. Throughout this time, it has also been very fortunate to have had so many individuals and groups from the local community to support it through fundraising.

St. George’s Bingo run a weekly raffle every Wednesday, St. Luke’s Crafty Ladies make and sell handmade cards and the Crosby Lions support the hospice with its Christmas Tree collections, Light up a Life event and numerous other events.

Ronnie & Rita’s hairdressers in Litherland are a great support to the hospice by selling Christmas cards, lottery tickets, holding raffles and selling cakes. And its Allerton Support Group has been raising funds for many years.

Bringing money in to the hospice is vital to the success of the hospice and its ability to continue to provide care. The first hospice shop opened in Crosby over 10 years ago and it now has ten shops across Merseyside - in Allerton, Crosby, Formby, Kensington, Maghull, Netherton, Ormskirk, Southport, Warbreck and Waterloo - all staffed by volunteers. Thanks to these volunteers, the shops continue to bring in much needed funds of over £100,000 every year.

During the evening, special long service awards were presented to volunteers for reaching certain milestones from five to 25 years and a special mention was also given Don Franks and Charles Callaghan who have raised over £400,000 for the hospice for their legendary bucket collections at various locations and events across Merseyside.

Mike Parr, Chief Executive of St. Joseph’s Hospice, said: “Every single person who has ever volunteered or raised money has made a valuable contribution to the running of St Joseph’s Hospice and they should all be very proud of the part they have played in ensuring that we are still here, 55 years later, providing our patients and their families with the care and support they deserve at their most difficult time.”

If you would like to support St. Joseph’s Hospice through volunteering, please contact Siobhan Clinton on 0151 932 6046 or email siobhan.clinton@jospice.org.uk.