George Eustice MP was delighted to be invited to Treliske Hospital in Truro to see the work of the Hospital's volunteers first hand. The Volunteers and Friends of Royal Cornwall Hospitals have hundreds of volunteers that work to raise money for the hospital whilst providing refreshments and services to make patients comfortable and welcome.
One of the Friends of the Hospital, Yvonne Dennis, was recognised for her work at the Volunteer Cornwall Awards, 2011. Yvonne has been a volunteer at the hospital for well over 25 years, working tirelessly to provide welcome refreshments for patients, visitors and staff through the Friends Coffee shop. She has been a "voluntary manager" of the Friends coffee shop for over 15 years.
Over the years the friends and volunteers of Royal Cornwall Hospitals have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds. Recent estimates suggest that the volunteer hours that are worked each year are worth almost £500,000 if minimum wage were paid.
George Eustice MP said, "The contribution of these volunteers and the friends of RCH is invaluable. Walking around it is clear to see how much the friendly face and refreshments that are provided in the waiting rooms are really appreciated, this, of course, is in addition to the thousands of pounds that the RCH volunteers have raised and donated to the hospital for fantastic new equipment and facilities."