Ray of Sunshine award for volunteering couple

Carole and Roger Dawson with their award

Springhill Hospice received a very special visit from BBC Northwest this week, as two volunteers at the hospice, Carole and Roger Dawson, were nominated for a Ray of Sunshine award.

Their daughter, Hazel, was the one who nominated them for the award for all the voluntary work they do, along with the work they do out in the community.

The Ray of Sunshine award has been created in honour of BBC Northwest presenter, Dianne Oxberry, who sadly passed away earlier this year. The awards have been presented to those who have helped others, their community, or just generally lit up the lives of others around them.

Roger is a driver for Springhill’s Day Hospice, picking up patients and bringing them to Day Hospice. Carole volunteers around the hospice and in Day Hospice too, alongside being an active fundraiser for Springhill. They have both been volunteers at the hospice for many years.

Julie Halliwell, Hospice Chief Executive said: “It is so lovely that Roger and Carole’s daughter nominated them for this special award. It’s been quite difficult keeping Hazel’s nomination a secret.

"Our volunteers are so special to us, whether they work within the hospice itself, out in the gardens, in our retail departments, or in the community in patients own homes. Our hospice simply would not survive without our wonderful volunteers”.

Springhill volunteers have recently been granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, and will be going to Gorton Monastery in August to receive their award.