Tea and cake provided a tasty thank you for some of the army of around 500 helpers who support Garden House Hospice Care across North Herts and Stevenage at a celebration linked to a national focus on the vital work of volunteers.

The Comet: Volunteers tuck into tea and cake at the celebration. Picture: John FrancisVolunteers tuck into tea and cake at the celebration. Picture: John Francis (Image: Archant)

The get-together also gave helpers the chance to check out a new video promoting the benefits of volunteering, created by a Hitchin firm and now posted on the Garden House website.

Voluntary services co-ordinator Liz Peel said: “Volunteering has always been a big part of Garden House ever since it opened its doors 25 years ago.

“Last year volunteers gave us £648,000 worth of unpaid hours.”

There are always spaces for new recruits – whether that’s in the hospice itself in Letchworth’s Gillison Close, the distribution centre in nearby Saunders Close or one of the seven charity shops across the district.

The Comet: Voluntary services co-ordinator Liz Peel with Tony Prezio of Hitchin TV, who created the promotional video. Picture: John FrancisVoluntary services co-ordinator Liz Peel with Tony Prezio of Hitchin TV, who created the promotional video. Picture: John Francis (Image: Archant)

Volunteers can also join the team which organises one-off fundraising events throughout the year.

Liz said: “If you’ve got some time to spare and want to help us, we can find a role for you.”

You can find out more about the benefits of getting involved by viewing the video created by HitchinTV in the volunteering section of the hospice website at ghhospicecare.org.uk.

To get involved, email volunteers@ghhospicecare.org.uk or call 01462 679540.