UNSUNG heroes who give up their time for others are being celebrated this week.

Diane Thorne and Ann Bleach are among the army of volunteers who assist in charity shops, day centres, hospices and in the community for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

Diane, of Southill, Weymouth, joined the charity in August 2002, and gives her time to the Trimar Day Hospice social group at Greenhill, Weymouth, every Wednesday and the town’s Great George Street shop weekly.

She has also helped out at various fundraising events.

Diane, 67, said: “We just have a good laugh.

“You should hear us when we’re playing games – it gets quite noisy.

“I talk a lot and like to socialise. I couldn’t bear to stay at home and look at four walls.

“While I’m active enough I feel I’d like to be helping.

“I think you get much more out of it than working because when you’re working it’s for money, while here it’s for our own satisfaction.

“I love the shop because it keeps me social.”

She added: “I went out on a limb coming here and found my niche.”

Veteran volunteer Ann of Greenhill has been part of the trust since November 1989.

Like Diane, Ann works at Trimar’s weekly social group and the Great George Street shop.

Ann, 73, also regularly helps at fund-raising events held at Trimar and goes out with collecting tins.

She said: “I heard a woman do a talk at a local Women’s Institute lecture and immediately I thought I’d like to help.

“I’ve seen the charity grow immensely over the years.”

Previously Ann has also volunteered in the trust’s bereavement group and sat with patients.

She added: “We don’t think of people as patients, we’re all friends here.”

Self-christened ‘flower power helper’ Geraldine Crowhurst of Broadmayne is a member of Weldmar’s flower club.

She works on a rota basis at Dorchester’s Joseph Weld Hospice, to replace and care for the flower arrangements and also gives talks at the charity’s social clubs.

Geraldine said: “It’s just a service we give and can do in our own time.

“It’s one that’s very much appreciated by both visitors and patients who feel it’s a comfort to them as well.

“Our aim is to keep things clean and attractive.”

She added: “Some people can cope with bereavement, I can’t. I realised that flowers were a way I could help.

“I find that there’s always laughter at the Joseph Weld Hospice and that’s very impressive.”

Volunteer driver Hiram Taylor, 71, of Wyke Regis is a former Naval engineer.

He said: “I’ve never seen a happier group and it’s certainly worthwhile.

“A friend of mine who volunteered asked if I’d like to try and I’ve found it very rewarding.

“It costs nothing to come and sit with people and take part in all the activities.

“At Christmas we have two or three parties.

“I’d definitely recommend it.”

He added: “There’s a shortage of male volunteers for some reason.”

Caroline Munslow, volunteer services manager for the charity, said: “We have more than 600 volunteers working across most of Dorset, either in one of our shops, or within fundraising, or directly in patient care in the community, day hospice, or in-patient unit.

“Di Thorne and Ann Bleach volunteer their time in all three sectors.”

Show them you care

THE Show Them You Care campaign has raised £4,213.20 since the appeal was launched on February 28 but there is a long way to go to hit the £60,000 target needed to pay for a community nurse for a year.

All the money will be used to fund a nurse for a year and pay for all of their support and expenses.

Crucially, it would mean even more patients and their families receiving all the support they need, when they need it most.

You can donate money by visiting webpage www.justgiving.com/weldmarnurse

Send cheques payable to ‘The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’ to the Dorset Echo offices at Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD.