Every month the Charity has a one day induction programme for new volunteers at both our Stockton and Bishop Auckland sites.

It is one of my happy duties to welcome the volunteers and give them a brief overview of the Hospice's work and to stress the importance of their individual roles in the life and success of the Charity.

This month, I have been able to welcome a magnificent forty new volunteers : who have offered to freely give their time and expertise to assist our work and directly, or indirectly, care for our patients and their families.

In total the Charity has over 550 volunteers who assist us in every area of our activities from, for instance, in our shops, fundraising, reception, administration to serving lunches and directly assisting with patient care. Without them we simply could not care as we do for some 2,000 patients, young and old, a year.

I was particularly delighted to see so many young six formers coming forward to volunteer. Not only does volunteering allow them to put something back into the local community but importantly it is good evidence of their character and will, I am sure, be mentioned in University Application Forms and added to growing CVs.

Well done, welcome and thank you all.