Peace Hospice Care is putting out an urgent call for volunteers. The charity, which provides free, specialist, care for patients, and their families, facing a life-limiting illness desperately needs volunteers for its charity shops.

Every year the Hospice relies on more than 400 volunteers - volunteers who support and care for patients, help fundraise, carry out vital tasks at the Hospice and in the community and help run the charity shops too.

The charity is now in urgent need of more volunteers, in a range of roles, especially to support its shops - to dress windows, steam clothes, operate the till, sort stock, help keep shops tidy and up-to-date, and help customers with their donations and purchases.

Valerie Blake has been volunteering for Peace Hospice Care for five years. She volunteers in the Watford Pond shop two afternoons a week and as a Receptionist on a Friday afternoon in the Hospice itself.

Speaking about her experience of working as a volunteer, she said: "I got involved with volunteering for Peace Hospice Care via a friend. She was already volunteering in one of the Shops and mentioned that they needed more help. Five years on and I'm still really enjoying volunteering at the shop, knowing that I'm helping to raise money for the Hospice and all the good work it does. It also gives me an opportunity to meet new people. So many people are supportive of the Hospice and it's great to be a part of that."

Ropinder Gill, Director of Income Generation, said: "Our shops are vital to us. They help us raise the funds we need each and every year to deliver our free services to those in our community with life-limiting illnesses. That's only possible because of our wonderful volunteers but we desperately need more. I'd urge anyone interested, even if they can spare just a couple of hours a week, to contact us as soon as possible - we really do need their help. Please help us spread the word."

Peace Hospice Care has charity shops in: Watford, Borehamwood, Bushey, Chorleywood, Garston, Radlett, Rickmansworth, South Oxhey, St. Albans and Tudor.

If you would like more information about opportunities to volunteer for the Hospice then please call: 01923 330 330

Or email: volunteers@peacehospicecare.org.uk