Final gift from befrienders for St John's Hospice

Volunteers who have helped patients and families facing serious illness have handed over more than £6,000 to a hospice.
Befrienders donation to St John's Hospice - Picture Left to right (back row) Ruth Presley, Pat Parkinson, Rita Beaumont, Mike Coward  St Johns, 
Gordon Beeden, Colin Albon (front row) Rosemary Albon, Pauline Panter and Tracy Haddock  St JohnsBefrienders donation to St John's Hospice - Picture Left to right (back row) Ruth Presley, Pat Parkinson, Rita Beaumont, Mike Coward  St Johns, 
Gordon Beeden, Colin Albon (front row) Rosemary Albon, Pauline Panter and Tracy Haddock  St Johns
Befrienders donation to St John's Hospice - Picture Left to right (back row) Ruth Presley, Pat Parkinson, Rita Beaumont, Mike Coward  St Johns, Gordon Beeden, Colin Albon (front row) Rosemary Albon, Pauline Panter and Tracy Haddock  St Johns

The Hospice at Home service group, which ran for more than 18 years before being handed over last year to befrienders at St John’s, Moggerhanger, presented a cheque for £6,427.51.

The befriender’s service in Moggerhanger has been running for a year and has supported around 24 patients and their families, thanks to the volunteers.

Tracy Haddock, head of community services for St John’s PEPS service, said: “It was a pleasure taking over the existing service and working with such experienced volunteers.

“We have gone from strength to strength and now have a team of 26 volunteers, who are dedicating their time to support patients in the community.

“I would personally like to thank the original Bedfordshire Hospice at Home volunteers for their help and support in developing our befrienders service.”

Rosemary Albon, an original Hospice at Home volunteer, said: “It has been a very worthwhile part of my life, giving back and helping others who needed it most. I had a great support network including the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who helped me really make a difference on so many levels.

“I will miss it very much, it’s not every day you can wake up and think I am going to help make someone’s life better today.”

Visit www.sueryder.org

Related topics: