Four Ludlow volunteers were among 104 supporters of Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices whose contribution has been celebrated by the charity.

The hospices have more than 600 regular volunteers who donate their gift of time to do everything from running the charity’s shops and fundraising, to helping in admin roles and keeping the hospice gardens looking beautiful.

Special awards were presented this year to volunteers who had donated three, five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service to the charity.

In Ludlow, Ann Moody has given 15 years and Hazel Smouth 20 years to the Ludlow shop, while Amie Mitchell and George Bradley have both donated three years.

Recognised for their contribution in Church Stretton were Anita White, Hazel Humphries (both five years), Daphne Rankin and Sue Jones (both 15 years) of Church Stretton Friends Group and Colette Gwyn and Sue Edmunds, who have each given three years to the Church Stretton shop,

The volunteers were delighted to meet two of the children helped by the charity, Esmay and her parents Kim and Richard at Hope House, and Matilda and her parents Michelle and Pete at Tŷ Gobaith.

Chief executive Andy Goldsmith said that every single volunteer helped children with life-threatening conditions to live their best life, whether that was helping to promote the services of the hospice to reach more children, helping to care for the children, or helping to raise the money needed to provide the care.

Shropshire volunteers were also recognised for their work in Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury, Ellesmere and Oswestry as were others in mid-Wales.