More than 500 people who give their times and expertise to help the running of a Hastingwood based hospice are being thanked as part of Volunteer Week.

Running from June 1 to June 7, Volunteer Week shines a spotlight on those that keep the clogs of the charity sector spinning.

St Clare Hospice has more than 500 volunteers on its books that help the West Essex and East Herts charity provide end of life care to people across the area.

The hospice will host a number of celebrations within its different departments in honour of those who help out.

Aged from 14 to 92 years, the volunteers work in the Hospice’s eight charity shops, help in the inpatient unit, provide bereavement support or companionship to people in their homes and fundraise, among other services.

Rob Wallace, St Clare’s voluntary services manager, said: “Our 500 volunteers here at St Clare lend a hand to our hospice day in and day out, literally enabling us to deliver care and support that changes lives within our local community.

"We humbly appreciate their unconditional generosity all year around, but it is during Volunteers’ Week that we are reminded of just how essential they are within the organisation, giving their time and skills to make a difference.

“Over the course of a year, the support we receive from volunteers amounts to 100,000 hours in donated time – and we are continuously recruiting new people who want to help our hospice."

For more information about how you can volunteer with St Clare Hospice, visit their website at www.stclarehospice.org.uk/volunteer or contact Mr Wallace directly on rob.wallace@stclarehospice.org.uk or call 01279 773722.