Volunteers at Casey Hospital, back row, Ester Peregi, Vivienne Porter, Margaret Munday, Heather Anthony and Tricha Blanch with Barbara Batrouney, Esme Holland, Adriana Hughson and Jean Mackenzie, second row, Elaine Hughes, Christine Mete, Kay Eales, Val Fewster, Jeanette Davis and Leonie Delves and, front row, Les Eales, Catherine Tulloch, Jacqueline Sprakes and Marie Goodall, have been holding fundraising events to purchase items for the hospital.31600 Picture: Luke Plummer
By Kelly Yates
VOLUNTEERS have raised money to purchase portable DVD players, touch lamps, clocks and a new barbecue for Casey Hospital.
Berwick resident Elaine Hughes, who has been volunteering at the Kangan Drive hospital for more than three years, told the News the volunteers held two fund-raising stalls a year, one before Mother’s Day and the other in the lead-up to Christmas selling hand-made crafts and items donated by local businesses.
The volunteers have been running the stalls for the past 18 months, with the money raised going towards purchasing various items for areas of the hospital.
Ms Hughes, 62, said she loved volunteering her time to talk to the patients.
“Every Friday afternoon I spend a couple of hours visiting the patients,” she said.
“It’s one of the highlights of my week. Hearing their stories gives me a buzz.”
Co-ordinator of volunteer services Jane Livingston said Casey Hospital had 28 male and female volunteers doing administration work, running craft groups and the flower service, and taking part in the occupational therapy leisure group.
“Many of the volunteers, aged from 18 to 70 years, have been donating around three hours a week to the hospital since 2005,” she said.
“They enhance the social interaction for the patients.”
