Volunteers who work at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital have been honoured in a thank-you ceremony at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Awards were given out to 38 volunteers with five, ten, 15 and 20 years service at the event hosted by the chairman David Richardson and chief executive Miles Scott.

Bridget Dunn of the Friends of the BRI, was named Volunteer of the Year for 15 years unstinting work at the Trust’s chemotherapy day unit, the Ear, Nose and Throat outpatients’ tea bar, as well as volunteering during the junior doctor exams which are held at St Luke’s Hospital twice a year.

Ward 15 (chemotherapy) sister Liz Reed, who nominated Bridget, said: “Bridget helps our patients and their relatives tremendously by making time to chat and constantly supplying them with drinks, refreshments and sandwiches.

“No request is too much for her and she is constantly cheerful in spite of having health problems herself.”

Susan Tighe of the Trust’s voluntary services department, said: “No-one deserves this award more. Bridget wouldn’t agree, but Bradford Teaching Hospitals would be a sorrier place without her.”

Joint second place went to Hillary Ball and Bradley Watmuff.

Bradley, 21, who has cerebral palsy and volunteers for St Luke’s Sound hospital radio, was nominated by its chairman Jack Worsnop, who said: “He radiates cheerfulness and enthusiasm and his one aim is to make people happy. “ Hilary Ball is a volunteer advisor at the ophthalmology department’s eye clinic and was nominated by consultant ophthalmologist, Anita Reynolds, who said she was truly inspirational.

All the winners received a glass plaque, a certificate and gifts.