GREEN-FINGERED helpers at Barnsley Hospice have been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley awards after notching up over 40 years’ combined volunteeering.
Paul Woodhall, Terry Winter, Keith Holland, Bob Mason, Steve Holliday and Julie Burgin make up the gardening team at the hospice and recently won praise for their dedication to maintaining the hospice’s award-winning greenspace.
As well as receiving high praise from around the hospice, the team has been awarded gold in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition an impressive five times.
Paul began volunteering for the hospice 12 years ago after his friend told him the hospice needed gardeners.
Though initially planning to join the hospice as a volunteer driver, Terry joined the gardening team just after Paul.
Julie and Bob both joined the team with years of gardening expertise under their belt.
Julie works as a gardener managing over 25 gardens every month, whilst Bob has worked in horticulture since he left school working as a gardener at Doncaster Council for many years.
Keith and Steve began volunteering after their wives were cared for by the hospice.
Their time spent volunteering is a way of saying ‘thank you’ to the hospice by creating a special environment for patients, visitors and staff to spend time.
Martine Tune, CEO and chief nurse at Barnsley Hospice, said: “The gardens are an incredibly important part of the hospice, and we are proud of the beautiful spaces our gardeners have created.
“We’re extremely grateful for all the hard work and dedication the team put into transforming the hospice gardens into the award-winning spaces they are today.”
On hearing the news of the nomination, a hospice spokesperson said: “That’s fantastic news, thank you so much for letting us know!
“The gardeners are absolutely wonderful and deserve every bit of recognition.”
