The Friends of Murray District Hospital (MDH) volunteer group reached a significant milestone when they recently celebrated 30 years of dedicated service to the hospital.
The volunteers help patients feel comfortable during their hospital stay by providing free magazines and toiletry packs and operate a mobile kiosk that sells gifts and snacks around the wards.
MDH Nurse Unit Manager Marion Underwood said the volunteers are part of the hospital family and are greatly appreciated by staff and patients.
“We are blessed with a community of dedicated volunteers who often go out of their way to make our patients and visitors feel at ease,” Mrs Underwood said.
“Their efforts can make such a positive difference to our patients’ experience in hospital.”
Friends of MDH President Rae Endersby started volunteering at the hospital in 1990 and said it was the kindness of staff and fellow volunteers that kept her coming back for so many years.
“I have volunteered alongside a number of wonderful and dedicated people that I now call my friends,” Mrs Endersby said.
“It is such a friendly and lovely environment to be in.”
The volunteers distribute gift packs to staff and patients during Christmas and Easter and also hold regular fundraising activities to purchase additional furniture and equipment for the hospital.