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Harbour Hospice celebrated its volunteers’ dedication with its annual Harbour Hospice Warkworth/Wellsford Long Service Awards at Tui House on July 31.
A group of 31 volunteers were recognised for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service.
Wellsford hospice shop volunteer Valerie Partridge was one of the two volunteers recognised for 25 years – the other being Warkworth hospice shop volunteer Elizabeth Clark.
Valerie says that she was “roped into” volunteering for hospice by a friend after moving into the area, but loved it so much she never left.
Valerie is on the counter at the Wellsford shop every Friday morning.
“I just love the companionship and getting to chat with the people who come into the store,” she says.
“When I started, most of the customers were locals, now they’re mostly people who are passing through to go up north for holidays.
“One thing that has stayed the same, though, is that women’s clothing has always been a top seller.”
Valerie is proud to call herself a hospice volunteer.
“It’s such a great cause. There are people in the community who need it.”
Valerie is one of 1200 volunteers who support Harbour Hospice each year and in the past 12 months, they gave the charity more than 151,000 hours of their time.
Many of Harbour Hospice’s volunteers can be found in its 17 shops, which raise one-third of the charity’s annual fundraising needs.
“Volunteers are integral to the delivery of hospice services,” chief executive Jan Nichols says.
“Whether they provide direct contact and care for our patients and families or contribute in our shops, kitchens, gardens, reception areas, through fundraising or flower arranging for us, or in other ways, their combined efforts make a real and tangible difference.
“We simply couldn’t do what we do without them and we are very grateful to each and every one of them for the time, energy and skills they give.”
