Volunteers from Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre were thanked for giving their time and effort at a special celebration evening held at Blackpool Victoria Hospital this week.
Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has more than 300 volunteers at various sites across the organisation, providing a wide range of services from fundraising, assisting at meal times and hospital radio.
They were praised for their efforts by the Chairman of the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Beverly Lester, who said: “Giving your time to volunteer is the most valuable donation anyone will ever make. I feel it especially important that each year we recognise the contribution our volunteers make to the work of our hospitals.
“Many of our volunteers work every day of the week in our hospital sites, providing valuable services to patients and visitors and support to our medical and nursing staff. Others are actively fundraising in support of our local Hospitals. These monies help us to provide much valued facilities and equipment that would not be otherwise funded by the NHS.’’
Chief Executive Aidan Kehoe added his praise, saying: “I would say volunteers are critical to the success of the organisation. They offer a wonderful service and really help to improve the quality of service the Trust delivers.
“The dedication of so many people is absolutely wonderful.’’
One of the volunteers who attended the event is Margaret Parr, Chairman of the League of Friends of Rossall and Fleetwood Hospitals. She said: “The evening has been very enjoyable and it is always nice to see familiar faces and some new faces here tonight. This event is very popular and always is well attended. I think it is very beneficial to the hospitals in our area to have so many dedicated volunteers.”
Margaret recently wrote a book called ‘History, Events and Memories on a Journey of Volunteering in the NHS over Five Decades.’ The book provides a fascinating written and pictorial history of the provision of NHS services on the Fylde Coast. It also highlights how volunteers have played an important role in providing services to benefit local patients, and also raised funds to purchase medical equipment and patient amenities.
The proceeds of the sale of the book will be used to raise funds for the League of Friends.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Margaret’s book, ‘History, Events and Memories on a Journey of Volunteering in the NHS over Five Decades,’ please write to Margaret at the below address. The book costs £5, and if required please add £1.40 for postage.
Mrs Parr
Wyreview
C/o Farmer Parrs Animal World
Rossall Lane
Fleetwood
FY7 8JP
Or call: 01253 876841
Volunteers, who attended, saw a DVD produced by the hospital’s communications team covering a wide range of volunteering activities. The DVD can be seen on You Tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzAkfjwDkYo
Should you wish to find out more about becoming a volunteer at one of the NHS hospitals on the Fylde coast, then please send an e-mail to volunteers@bfwhospitals.nhs.uk or call 01253 306875.
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