Two longstanding volunteers at the St Michael’s Hospice Shop on Gloucester Road, in Ross-on-Wye, were thanked for their years of hard work recently.

Fay Lerigo and Margaret Hamblin have both been volunteers for well over 20 years. Margaret told the Ross Gazette she started volunteering when the shop was based on Broad Street. She had popped into the shop after retiring from work and was asked if she would like to help out. She said:?“I?turned 60 in the July and started at the shop in August.”

She said that she did not fully realise how important the work carried out at the shop was, until she experienced the services the Hospice provides for herself. Her husband was taken ill and he moved into the Hospice for the last few weeks of his life. She said:?“It made me realise that everything I had done had not been in vain, it was such a wonderful place, the people there have such compassion, so after he died I carried on.”

Margaret has worked alongside Fay for many years and said they have had lots of fun and laughter during that time.

Fay added that over the years they have known many people who have stayed at the Hospice, or had a family member who has been a patient. They have both seen that the Hospice is more important than ever, so they know the work the volunteers do in the shop to raise funds is very important.

Fay can easily remember her first day at the Hospice shop as it was the day the original store opened 26 years ago. She worked with Peggy Fisher and told the Ross Gazette she has enjoyed every moment, and has made lots of friends.

After a celebration tea with many of the other volunteers, Fay and Margaret were presented with bouquets of flowers and they both agreed to keep visiting the shop in the future. They also urged all the current volunteers to keep up the good work as it is so vital.

Nicola Wood, Head of Retail at St Michael’s Hospice thanked the ladies and said they had each carried out 5,000 hours of voluntary work for the Hospice and their work is much appreciated.