A HUSBAND-AND-WIFE team have bid farewell to East Surrey Hospital where they have volunteered for a total of 44 years.
Since 1992, David and Margaret Jones of Lower Kingswood have given up thousands of hours of their time helping staff, patients and visitors.
Tasks ranged from giving manicures, running the coffee shop, manning the information desk and helping in the bereavement office. But for Mr Jones, 86, his highlight was looking after cancer patients. "The happiest time I had was in the chemotherapy ward, which is a bit unusual considering why people were there, but there was a happy atmosphere from the staff, who gave me a wonderful welcome," he said. "I was meeting and greeting patients, bringing teas, coffees and chocolates, chatting to them all the time."
Mr Jones, a former accountant, started volunteering after he retired and a friend suggested helping at the hospital.
Mrs Jones, 85, joined him, having already clocked up 20 years behind the counter at the Cancer Research shop in Reigate.
She helped in audiology, repairing hearing aids, and painted ladies' nails.
"The older the ladies get, the redder the nail varnish," she joked. "I'm very sad to leave. I have loved every minute."
Mr Jones, of Mint Lane, added: "No one coming into the hospital, other than the staff, really want to be there, so we felt that in some way we could help them. I remember we were told at the beginning never to ask, 'how are you?', otherwise you get a full story."
The couple are moving to Faversham, Kent, to be closer to their son. Mr Jones said: "I don't know what we're going to do, we'll take a break but we will do something. Volunteering is something to look forward to in the week.
His wife added: "I've loved the hospital, loved the patients and loved East Surrey. I'm worried to death about where my next hospital is."
Maris Codling, Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust's voluntary services manager, said: "Their dedication and reliability is only surpassed by their generosity and great sense of humour. I, amongst many in the trust, will really miss them but we all wish them good health and happiness in their new home."
