AN inspiring Worcester husband and wife who have dedicated years towards helping others, including throughout personal cancer battles, are backing an urgent call for volunteers by health and wellbeing charity, Royal Voluntary Service.
Husband and wife Chris and Ian Fearn volunteer with the Royal Voluntary Service retail team at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, giving a combined 37 years of service.
The duo is now helping the charity in their pleas for over 600 volunteers across Britain to step forward and help.
Chris and Ian have stuck by the charity through relocations, the pandemic and cancer diagnoses.
Chris splits her time between the charity’s shop and café at the hospital, where she serves customers hot drinks and healthy snacks and offers a chat to those who might need a moment of support.
Ian, meanwhile, volunteers in the hospital’s Royal Voluntary Service shop, assisting with deliveries, re-stocking the shelves and helping ensure everything runs smoothly.
Profits from these shops and cafés help to fund the charity’s work in supporting the NHS.
Chris said, since Ian completed cancer treatment at the hospital, the couple find it even more rewarding to play their part in helping the NHS.
She added: “The café is in the hospital’s oncology unit, so you get to know the patients, and they are such wonderful people, it’s so lovely to sit and talk to them for a little chat.
“I love knowing I’ve made a difference.”
Ian said: “Around 10 years ago, Chris decided I didn’t have enough to do and so she roped me into volunteering with her.
“But I haven’t looked back since and now I do two days every week.
“Volunteering in a hospital feels great. It’s a way for me to give back and play my part.”
Volunteer opportunities across Worcester include helping out at the Hospital Café and shop as well as assisting with pushing trolleys at Worcestershire Royal.
Visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/playing-my-part/ for more information and to sign up.
