BRADFORD Hospitals’unsung heroes have been honoured for their volunteering.

More than 70 volunteers from Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were celebrated at a special ceremony at Bradford City Football Club.

The Trust has almost 500 volunteers dedicating between them an amazing 104,000 hours of time over the past year.

Certificates and plaques were presented to 37 of them who had devoted between five and 25 years to volunteering, adding up to an incredible 335 years in total.

A group of 20 student volunteers, aged 17 to 24, who have given up 50 hours of their time were also rewarded with special certificates and Phlebotomy Volunteer and Play Assistant Liz Austin was crowned Volunteer of the Year 2017 out of 17 nominees.

The Trust’s Chief Executive, Professor Clive Kay said: “There are many reasons why the dedication and compassion of our volunteers make such a difference to our hospitals – in fact there are more than 104,000 of them!

“Amazingly that’s the total number of hours of their own free time our team of volunteers has given up over the past 12 months to improve the experience of our patients.”

Mrs Austin, 68, of Odsal, is a former staff nurse at the BRI who started volunteering four years ago after retiring and now helps out two days a week, splitting her time as a phlebotomy guide at St Luke’s Hospital and a play assistant on the BRI children’s ward.

“I was absolutely shocked when my name was called out. I heard it and said ‘oh that’s me!’ After I retired, I was determined to keep in touch with the Trust and that’s why I decided to volunteer. I love both the roles I have.”

Runner-up this year was Bradford Radio Royal Volunteer and Chaplaincy Volunteer, Christopher Fisher, and in joint third place were Play Assistants Mary Darrington and Katarzyna Piotrowska. Mary is a volunteer at BRI and Katarzyna a volunteer at St Luke’s Hospital.

Also nominated were: Tahira Azam, Barbara Cawood, Patricia Crompton, Lynne Dennison, Mary Gilmartin, Mashud Haque, Peter Kelly, Hilary Meeghan, Jean Nutter, Hasu Patel, Alan Pinfield, Joan Sinfield and Jennifer Smith.

Prof Kay paid a special tribute to Jean Nutter, a dedicated volunteer who died recently after devoting a quarter of a century to the Trust.

He said: “Jean was a very familiar face within the Trust, as a volunteer guide and then a tea bar volunteer in our Women’s and Newborn Unit. We will all miss her and we send our sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.”

A certificate marking Jean’s 25 years’ service was accepted by her colleague Jennifer Smith, on behalf of Jean’s family.

Long service awards were also presented to Stanley Sinfield, tea bar and information centre and Geoff Hodge, guide for 20 years service.

Anyone interested in volunteering, can ring 01274 364309/382860 or visit the Trust’s website www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk/about/staff