BOUQUET OF THE WEEK Volunteer Eileen thanked for help
A VOLUNTEER who “goes the extra mile” to support a cancer charity has been rewarded with an Echo Bouquet of the Week.
Dedicated Eileen Gape gives up her spare time to help out as an advice assistant for Tenovus Cancer Care.
She has worked in the health sector for decades and Tenovus wanted to express their thanks for all her hard work.
Rhiannon Skilton, head of support line services at Tenovus, said: “Eileen began volunteering with us on the support line nearly four years ago and turns up every week to support our nurses.
“She now volunteers as a cancer advice assistant, supporting clients with applications for statutory benefits and grants. As a former nurse, Eileen always goes the extra mile and will give up extra time on evenings and weekends to provide cover on the support line. We simply wouldn’t manage without her and the weeks wouldn’t be the same without her.”
Eileen, who lives in Barry, said she was “absolutely shocked” when she discovered she had been nominated to receive the bouquet.
The 69-year-old said: “The team deserve to be nominated because they do so much hard work – I just come and go.”
As well as advising people on their benefit entitlements, Eileen also helps to operate the support line. She explained this can be a very diverse process as people don’t only call in to talk about cancer.
“People may call in if they have been diagnosed with cancer, or if they know someone who has been diagnosed with the illness,” she said. “But it’s not always the case. Someone once called in asking where to go to complain about a BBC programme – so calls can be diverse. They can also be very sad.”
After retiring Eileen wanted to do something to put her skills to use, and has worked as a volunteer ever since.
If you know someone who deserves an Echo Bouquet of the Week email your nomination, with reasons, and your name, address and telephone number to echo.newsdesk@walesonline.co.uk. You can also write to South Wales Echo, Six Park Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR. Usual Media Wales terms and conditions apply and all nominees must agree to be photographed.