Gladys Wilkin with Dr Mary Archer
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To mark National Volunteers’ Week, Addenbrooke’s will pay tribute to hundreds of volunteers, saying a particular ‘thank you’ to our longest-serving helpers.
700 volunteers give up their free time on a regular basis to help patients throughout Addenbrooke's. They help make life easier for patients and their families, performing a wide range of tasks as well as visiting patients who need some company.
On Wednesday 6 June, our longest-serving volunteers – who have a total of 696 years’ service between them – will attend a special reception at the hospital to recognise their work. They will enjoy drinks and live music at the reception before awards are handed out by the Chief Executive, Dr Gareth Goodier and the Chairman, Dr Mary Archer.
Perhaps the most distinguished honour of the night will go to 90-year-old Gladys Wilkin for an amazing 31 years’ service. She finally retired from her post as a volunteer guide in the main hospital this year and will miss everything about it:
“I’ve been volunteering at Addenbrooke’s from the very start of the service, and I’ve loved every minute. When I started I used to love watching the elderly patients who had arrived in a wheelchair walk out on their own two feet, and now I’m 90 myself! I’ve been so happy guiding and helping people in the hospital – it’s what I was made for.”
• The ceremony starts at 1130 on Wednesday 6 June. For further information, or if you are interested in attending or talking to volunteers, please contact James Woodman, Press & Media Manager
• National Volunteers' Week (1-7 June) is a national, annual celebration of volunteers’ work. During the week events are held across the country to recognise, reward and recruit volunteers
• Since September last year over 100 volunteers have applied and been placed in volunteer positions
• The Young Person Programme started in January 2007, and has so far seen 45 teenagers (aged 16 to 19) volunteer in clinical areas on a regular basis
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