A group of volunteers which supports Rugby’s Hospital of St Cross has recognised three of its members for their long service.

Helen Appleby, Ginny Stanley and Audrey Yates have each received a long service award in recognition of ten years of service with The Friends of the Hospital of St Cross, giving their time to support patients, staff and visitors.

The three volunteers have roles that include working on the outpatient tea bar, the ward trolley service and the meet and greet team for patients that come into the Phlebotomy department.

Garth Murphy, chair of The Friends of St Cross, said: “Reaching ten years as a volunteer is a wonderful achievement, but to be celebrating three people reaching that milestone together makes this particularly special.

The three volunteers receiving their long service awards. Top photo left to right: Ginny Stanley and Chair, Garth Murphy. Bottom left photo left to right: Helen Appleby, Mayor of Rugby, Councillor Nooria Sayani and Chair, Garth Murphy. Bottom right photo left to right: Audrey Yates and Chair and Garth Murphy. Photo supplied

placeholder image — The three volunteers receiving their long service awards. Top photo left to right: Ginny Stanley and Chair, Garth Murphy. Bottom left photo left to right: Helen Appleby, Mayor of Rugby, Councillor Nooria Sayani and Chair, Garth Murphy. Bottom right photo left to right: Audrey Yates and Chair and Garth Murphy. Photo supplied

“Our volunteers give something incredibly valuable: their time.

“Whether they are helping patients and visitors, supporting staff or simply providing a friendly and familiar face, their contribution makes a real difference to life at St Cross.

“We are enormously grateful to Helen, Ginny and Audrey for everything they have given over the past ten years and hope they are very proud of their awards.”

Ginny, one of the volunteers who received an award, said: “I love working on the tea bar at St Cross.

“Every day really is different and I’m delighted to receive a long service award along with my fellow volunteers. St Cross is such a special place, it definitely doesn’t feel like work when we come here."

Willy Goldschmidt, president of The Friends of St Cross, added: “The dedication shown by Ginny, Helen and Audrey over so many years reflects the wonderful team spirit that runs through all our volunteers.

“As valued members of Team UHCW, our volunteers play an important part in supporting patients, staff and the wider hospital community. These long-service awards are a fitting recognition of that commitment, and we're delighted to celebrate the achievements of all three.”

In 2025, almost twenty thousand hours of volunteer time was given by volunteers across the Hospital of St Cross.

To find out more about volunteering at The Hospital of St Cross visit: www.fsx.org.uk