Royal award for Hospice volunteers

It is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and the Hospice was one of 193 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in the UK to receive one this year.

A testament to the work of volunteers involved directly in patient care and indirectly in fundraising, domestic assistance, gardening and many others, Donall Henderson, CEO commended their contribution, saying: “For over 30 years, the provision of specialist palliative care in the north west by Foyle Hospice, has been made possible through tireless and unfaltering support from our many volunteers.

He added: “ ‘Together we care’ that people’s medical, psychological, social and spiritual needs are met and that people receive dignity and respect at end of life.”

Meanwhile, long-standing volunteers, Hugh McLaughlin and Bernie Gillespie attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 19, where they met the Queen and other winners.

Foyle Hospice will receive the award later this month from the Lord Lieutenant for the Borough County of Londonderry, Dr Angela Garvey.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chairman and former broadcast journalist, Sir Martyn Lewis, said he warmly congratulated all of what he called “the inspirational voluntary groups” who had been rewarded for their community work

“The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups,” Sir Martyn said.

“The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action,” he said.