Former nurse Jill Wellings has just retired after nearly 60 years of volunteering at RSH.
Jill started as a volunteer during her training as a nurse and then joined the RSH League of Friends (LoF) when it formed in 1966, helping out when its first shop opened at the Old Copthorne South in 1971.
She has seen many changes over the years and has loved her time as a volunteer even abseiling off the top of the hospital building to raise funds.
“People weren’t able to use the telephone to ask someone to bring something in, so when we took them hairspray or chocolate that really brightened their day,” Jill said.
“In the early days fundraising was for a picture or TV for a ward, but we raised £1 million for a scanner three years ago – it puts it in perspective how things have changed.”
Jill added: “I have got a great deal of satisfaction out of volunteering. I’ve made a lot of friends. It has been a continuation of being a nurse and wanting to care.”
She would also not hesitate to recommend volunteering to anybody who has a few hours to spare because she has had so much enjoyment from it.
Chair of the RSH LoF Richard Steventon and Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation at SaTH, presented Jill with a long service award and engraved glass bowl.
Jill chatted about her time as a volunteer with Adam Green on the Radio Shropshire Breakfast Show and she told him that she is thinking of doing a zip wire to raise funds.
Follow the link below to listen in (2:37-2:46)
