We are thrilled to have held a series of celebrations to mark the outstanding contribution of 104 supporters who have donated between three to 30 years of volunteering.

We are so fortunate to have more than 600 regular volunteers who donate their gift of time to do everything from running our shops, and fundraising, to helping in admin roles and keeping the hospice gardens looking beautiful.

Special awards were presented this year to volunteers who had donated three, five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service to the charity. They were delighted to meet two of the children helped by our services – Esmay and her parents Kim and Richard at Hope House, and Matilda and her parents Michelle and Pete at Ty Gobaith.

Our Chief Executive Andy Goldsmith said that every single volunteer helped children with life-threatening conditions to live their best life, whether that was helping to promote the services of the hospice to reach more children, helping to care for the children, or helping to raise the money needed to provide the care.

Vice chair of trustees, Barbara Evans, who presented the awards with the chair of trustees, Steve Henly, said she had been volunteering for 34 years.

“In the early days we had a dream of what the hospice could be and of how we could help local children,” she recalled.

“Now we have two hospices and 14 shops and are able to help hundreds of children and families. So much of that is down to the hard work of our volunteers and I can’t thank you enough for helping our dreams to come true.”

Recipients of the 2024 long service awards included:

Bangor shop: June Magdzinski, Myfanwy Jones, Philippa Jones, (all 5 years) and Tom Kirkham (10 years)

Bridgnorth shop: Carol Duffield, Nathan Whatmore (both 3 years) Jacqui Howells, Judith Bensley (both 5 years)

Chester shop: Deborah Blythin (3 years) Gary Smith (15 years) Joan Haycock (20 years)

Church Stretton Friends Group: Anita White, Hazel Humphries (both 5 years) Daphne Rankine, Sue Jones (both 15 years)

Church Stretton shop: Colette Gwyn, Sue Edmunds (both 3 years)

Ellesmere Friends Group: Anne Wignall, Debbie Hayward, Karen Ward (all 20 years)

Flint shop: Gloria Hall, Janet Davies, Paige Bedford (all 3 years)

Fundraising Admin: Hefina Griffiths (3 years)

Hope House Fundraising Volunteers: Cathie Davies, Lee Eyes, Lynn & Phil Hirst, Rebecca Forster, Sue Hannah, Susan & Peter Maiden (all 3 years) Dawn Williams, Kelly Clarke, Shaun Rogers (all 5 years) Barry Fergus, Bryan Williams (both 10 years) Lynda Jones (15 years) John Matthews (25 years)

Hope House Administration: Diane Jones (5 years)

Hope House Gardens: Cath Mercer, Margaret Baines, Marion Jones (all 3 years)

Llandrindod Wells Friends Group: Pat Harrison (15 years)

Llandudno shop: Colin Singleton, Eileen Williams, Ian Rice, Joy Southerton, Kathy Brazier, Marisa Poloni, Rebecca Jones, Sandy Hannah (all 3 years) Linda Rousell, Lorna Holland, Sarah Dawes (all 5 years) Anne Pritchard, Janet Daniels (both 15 years)

Llanfyllin Friends Group: Annette Griffiths (25 years), Audrey Jones (30 years)

Llyn Peninsula Friends Group: Meirwen Jones (3 years) Megan Roberts (5 years) Angharad Chidley Williams, Carol Jones, Doris Jones, Margaret Roberts (all 15 years) Anna Jones, Berwyn Williams, Brenda Chidley-Williams, Janet Hughes, Laura Roberts (all 20 years)

Ludlow shop: Amie Mitchell, George Bradley (both 3 years) Ann Moody (15 years) Hazel Smout (20 years)

Nantwich shop: Simon Latham (3 years) Diana Boyles (5 years) Catriona Wadsworth, Thomas Bateman (both 10 years) Barbara Green (15 years)

Oswestry Events Group: Iola Evans (20 years)

Oswestry shop: Helen Morris (3 years) Gwyneth Morgan, Lin Kilty (both 10 years)

Shrewsbury Harlescott shop: Wendy Payne (3 years)

Shrewsbury Oteley Road shop: Karis Hulme, Kathy Rivet, Sheila Rayner, Susan Howells, Wendy Foster (all 3 years)

Ty Gobaith Gardens: Glyn Jones (5 years)

Trustees: Supriya Kapas (3 years) Phil Inch (30 years)

Tywyn Friends Group: Ben Thomas, Eirlys Stoddard (both 5 years)

Welshpool shop: Anne Kester, Kath Vernon, Pearl Norton, Shirley Bonsall (all 3 years) Adam Richards, Gavin Foreshaw (both 5 years) Denise Corke (10 years) Shirley Craig (15 years)

Wrexham shop: Mo Parry (3 years) Lesley Greenall, Llinos Hunt (both 5 years)