A special tea party has been held in Stilton to thank volunteers at three hospitals for giving their time to support staff and patients.

The event was co-ordinated as part of Volunteers Week 2023 and was paid for by the North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity. 

Volunteers Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities. 

Carol North, head of volunteering at the Trust, said: “To celebrate the week we shared case studies about our volunteers on social media, which showcased different volunteering roles.

"Some members of our executive team also went along to help the volunteers and experience what the volunteers do.

"Then to finish the week, we held a tea party at the Stilton Pavilion to say 'thank you' to our amazing volunteers.

"Steve Barnett, Trust Chair and Caroline Walker, Trust CEO, came along to say a special 'thank you' and hand out long service certificates to qualifying volunteers.”

North West Anglia Foundation Trust, which runs Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford Hospitals has 449 active volunteers across the Trust.

Last year the hospital volunteers donated 57,094 hours.

On a national living wage of £9.50 this would equate to £542,397.94 of goodwill.

Emergency Department volunteers served up more than 40,000 cups of tea last year.

The Trust has 48 active youth volunteers who speak 20 different languages between them. Youth ovlunteer recruitment at PCH is closed because of the  overwhelming demand.