St Elizabeth Hospice staff, supporters and volunteers alike, have come together to show their appreciation of volunteer Kevin Widdick after he was named Regional Volunteer of the Year in the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Awards 2023.
The news was announced during a virtual awards ceremony on 7th June, with the award category recognising the extraordinary contributions made by volunteers across the region in support of a number of good causes.
Kevin, who is from Ipswich, began raising funds for the hospice in 1996 and has been a volunteer for the charity since 2007, volunteering across a number of roles for the hospice including many of the hospice events, including Suffolk Remembers and Midnight Walk.
Kevin said: “I was very surprised and honoured to be nominated for this award, so winning it exceeded my expectations and I am very grateful. There are hundreds of volunteers at St Elizabeth Hospice who are equally deserving of recognition and I am pleased to represent them.
“My association with the hospice goes right back to the beginning, at the early fundraising and planning stage so it has always been close to my heart.
“My volunteering started at the first Midnight Walk 16 years ago and I’ve been helping when I can ever since. Now that I’m retired I’m finding a few more opportunities to volunteer which I’m delighted to do. I’ve met lots of new friends and the support from the hospice team is great.”
Kevin is one of more than 1,500 volunteers who generously give their time to support the hospice by carrying out roles in one of its many retail shops or at fundraising events, through to volunteering on the hospice inpatient unit and supporting the hospice administrative teams.
Every year their support helps the hospice deliver specialist palliative care to more than 3,000 people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness, and their families, throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
Jemma Wood, Volunteer Development Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “We are all delighted Kevin has received this brilliant recognition for his years of support to the hospice.
“Kevin is one of those kind, generous and selfless people where nothing is too much trouble and winning this award is so well deserved.”
To learn more about volunteering opportunities at St Elizabeth Hospice email volunteer@stelizabethhospice.org.uk or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/support-us/support-us/volunteer-for-us/.
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About St Elizabeth Hospice
St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people in East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney living with a progressive or life-limiting illness.
Our work is centred on an individual’s needs, which means specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice. Through medicine and therapy we ease pain; we give life purpose and make life liveable.
Established in 1989, the independent charity and hospice has built a reputation for delivering high-level care to patients and the community it serves.
Support is provided to patients and their families via the inpatient unit, day services including outpatient’s clinics, home visits from the community nursing, medical or therapy team, and the OneCall 24/7 telephone helpline and bereavement support.
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