A CANCER charity has paid tribute to its longest serving volunteer – Betty Cook from Ashley Heath near Ringwood.

Betty has spent the last 24 years volunteering at the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital and was honoured at a special ceremony. Trustees and staff said a big thank you to their “enthusiastic and dedicated” volunteers at the event.

Verdun Bailey of Ambassador Pools, who sponsored the event, expressed his gratitude for the volunteers’ “kindness and compassion towards both patients and visitors at what can only be described as a terribly difficult time for them”.

He explained that he was proud to sponsor the awards particularly because of his wife Christine's own successful battle against breast cancer.

Macmillan Unit matron Sister Heather Rogers, chairman of the trustees Keith Lomas and trust secretary Neal Williams all spoke of the vital role volunteers have at the Macmillan Unit.

Mr Williams said: “Patients, families and visitors tell us how wonderful it is to see volunteers who are always smiling, and nothing is ever too much trouble. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their enthusiasm and dedication.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer at the Christchurch Macmillan Unit should contact Anita Rigler on 01202 705353.