Volunteers at a hospital in Gobowen have been recognised for their hard work.

The League of Friends to The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) celebrated the contributions of their volunteers at an annual awards ceremony.

The event was held at the main entrance of the hospital on September 8, bringing together friends staff members, trustees, and volunteers.

More than 50 volunteers gathered as the charity presented three awards: Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year, and the Chairman’s Courage award.

Victoria Sugden, charity director, said: "Our volunteers provide 15 different services across RJAH and collectively dedicate over 30,000 hours of their time to supporting patients, staff, and visitors annually.

"It was an absolute pleasure to recognise the achievements of our treasured volunteers who give their time, energy, and enthusiasm to enhancing the experience of those at RJAH."

Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Peter Leech, who became a member of the Friends volunteer team two years ago, volunteering at the Headley Court Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre.

Mr Leech was nominated by his peers for always going the extra mile, his cheerfulness, enthusiasm, and willingness to help anyone, anywhere, at any time.

He said: "Volunteering at RJAH is one of the best decisions I have made, and I’m delighted to accept this award – I plan on sharing it with my wonderful teammates in the Veterans’ Centre, as their support is key to everything we do.

"I hope that the role I play helps to improve patient experience, especially during what can often be a stressful time.

"Being recognised with this award is incredibly rewarding, and I’m thankful to be part of such a dedicated team making a positive difference."

The Volunteer Team of the Year award was given to the Coffee Shop team, often referred to as the face of the hospital.

They were praised for going above and beyond every day, serving with a smile, cleaning tables, and offering a warm and friendly welcome to everyone who walks through the door.

Julia Morgan, charity manager, said: "I could not be prouder of our Coffee Shop team, this award is so deserved.

"I want to thank each and every volunteer for being so hard-working, kind, professional, caring, and mostly for just being themselves."

The Chairman’s Courage Award went to Beryl Angel, who shows courage, commitment, and an extraordinary willingness to help wherever she can.

Ms Angel volunteers across many roles at RJAH and was the first to take part in the charity’s Cliffhanger fundraising event, which saw participants abseil down from a 150ft crane.

The chairman, Peter David, praised Ms Angel as he presented her with the Chairman's Courage Award.

He said: "Beryl could not go unrecognised for her extraordinary courage – she truly embodies the resilience that this award represents."

Ms Angel said: "I’m honoured to receive this award - volunteering at RJAH is an extremely rewarding experience, and I’m proud to play a part in making a difference.

"The hospital has always felt like a second home to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I've had to help wherever I’m needed."

If you are interested in volunteering at RJAH you can find out more at https://www.friendsrjah.org.uk/volunteer/.