Viola Demoubray (81) and Dorothy Cabot (80) with their awards at the presentation at Government House Picture by Tony Pike (00763833)

MANY years of dedication by two women to making life easier for hospital patients, staff and visitors were marked recently at a surprise reception at Government House.

Viola Demoubray (81) and Dorothy Cabot (80) were among a number of volunteers from the Jersey branch of the League of Friends invited to a reception at Government House.

However, they did not realise that they would be in the main spotlight for their wonderful record of service, which is still continuing into their 80s.

Dorothy has worked in the league’s hospital shop for more than 25 years and has run it for the past 21 years. As shop manager, she has had responsibility for ordering the supplies as well as maintaining the rota of volunteers, often filling in and doing shifts when required.

She walks from her home to the Hospital, and over the years she has covered numerous miles to carry out her voluntary work.

Viola has worked in the league’s coffee shop since it opened more than 21 years ago and she has always been prepared to carry out a number of shifts in a week when no-one else is available. She no longer does any 2½-hour shifts, but still organises the coffee shop staff rota.

At the reception, the charity’s patron, Valerie Ridgway, congratulated Dorothy
and Viola on their highly valued contribution to the league’s work and said how voluntary service played a major role in the community.

The two women were presented by the Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway, with certificates and badges to mark their length of service.
League secretary Carole Penfold said that both members had shown remarkable dedication to the charity’s work and were very deserving of their awards. ‘Dorothy and Viola are two of a number of volunteers who have completed over 20 years of service, for which we are extremely grateful,’ she said.

The Jersey branch of the league was set up in 1977 and the volunteers have raised more than £600,000 towards a wide range of hospital equipment.

Volunteers are always needed to help with shifts in the Hospital shop and coffee
shop and to take trolleys containing newspapers, toiletries and other goods around the Hospital, as well as at Sandybrook and the Willows.

Anyone interested in becoming involved can contact Mrs Penfold on 875781.