Quarter of a million hours of Voluntary Service recognised in Civic Reception Award Ceremony…

A presentation was held in the Mayor’s Parlour at Oldway Mansion for Torbay Hospital League of Friends long service members.

Thirty three volunteers were invited to attend a Civic Reception, hosted by the Civic Chairman, Cllr Derek Mills, to receive Certificates and Commemorative Badges in recognition of serving over 25 years for the League of Friends.  Their individual lengths of service ranged from 25 to 56 years. 

Two volunteers who could not attend because of illness, and who had notched up over 60 years service between them, were also celebrated and applauded at the civic reception presentation.

League Chairman, Lynne Hookings, announced that on her calculations these people had given to the League, to the Hospital, and of course ultimately to the people of Torbay and District, a period equating to over 1200 years of voluntary service.

Furthermore, when taken a stage further and making a conservative guess at how many hours of voluntary service this represented - she said it unquestionably worked out in excess of 250,000 hours.

She said “It is this level of voluntary work that allows the League to return a minimum of 96.5p in every pound raised to the Charity. 

I know of no other major charity that can boast this level of return. And remember the money stays here in Torbay – for the benefit of the whole population served by Torbay Hospital.”

Director of South Devon Healthcare Trust, Topsy Murray, representing Trust Chairman, Peter Hildrew and Chief Executive Paula Vasco-Knight at the long service awards, acknowledged and praised the League and the volunteers for their remarkable efforts and achievements for the hospital. 

She confirmed the recent announcement that Torbay Hospital had been awarded Acute Healthcare Organisation of the Year by the Health Service Journal.

League Chairman Lynne warmly congratulated the Hospital on this prestigious award and said it just reaffirmed what a super hospital we have here in Torbay. 

She announced her delight that the efforts and achievements of the League had also been recognised in this award - the citation having specifically mentioned - “The Trust is also supported by one of the most successful League of Friends in the country.”

The celebratory afternoon was concluded by the Lynne offering heartfelt thanks to each and every volunteer for the time, effort and commitment they had given to the League.

She said “There are two other sources which also owe you all a huge debt of gratitude – Torbay Hospital and the patients you serve. Well done and thank you all.”

Torbay Hospital League of Friends honoured by local 'Red Carpet' Event

Local hairdressing business, “The Salon” in Wellswood, threw open its doors in lavish film style to raise monies for Torbay Hospital League of Friends.

“The Salon” owned by Ian Redwood and BJ Blackmore, rolled out a red carpet to their premises to set the scene for guests to step into an evening of glamour and style.

Doormen greeted each guest in full evening dress apparel, presenting each female with a single rose before ushering them to the reception area for champagne and canopies.

Talks, demonstrations and up to the minute hair style information and current styling techniques, together with tricholotherapy, holistic and beauty therapies were on offer throughout the evening.

The evening organised by Torbay League of Friends, Vice Chairmen, Pat Roberts and Julia Hearne was a huge success with a packed audience.  Pat, a regular customer at the salon, nominated the League of Friends as a worthy charity for one of Ian and BJ’s red carpet events.

At the end of the evening, Lynne Hookings, Chairman of the League of Friends, extended “a huge thank you to Ian, BJ and their team for a brilliant evening; wonderful hospitality and their support of the League of Friends.

Lynne also proudly informed of the league’s latest significant purchase, a £800k mammogram mobile unit and two ‘state of the the art’ digital mammography machines “Holigic Selenia Dimensions” the newest addition of breast imaging solutions, which delivers exceptional digital mammography images.”