A GROUP of volunteers who selflessly give their time to support health services have been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

More than 400 volunteers who work with the Wrightington Wigan and Leigh(WWL) NHS Foundation Trust’s 421 have been shortlisted for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

More than 450 years of the volunteering has been amassed by just 41 of the 434 volunteers at the trust, by giving their services to roles including ward volunteers, companions, dementia volunteers, flower ladies, admin help, cafe volunteers, clinical lay auditors.

The annual award recognises excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community and was established in 2002.

Andrea Arkwright, head of patient and public involvement at WWL, who nominated the group said: “I am delighted that our volunteers have been short listed for the Queens Award.

 “We nominated the volunteers for the award because they really are the unsung heroes of our hospital and the wider NHS.

 “Not only do our volunteers provide a great service for our patients, staff and visitors, they very often put our patients at ease simply by talking to them or lending a sympathetic ear; they always have time to help everyone and they do this as they want to give something back to the hospital.”

She added: “Our volunteers get a lot out of their work as it gives them time to socialise with other volunteers and members of staff, as well as combating any loneliness they may feel at home.”

Early next year the group will be visited by a member of the Greater Manchester QAVS Assessment Panel who will then present their assessment to a regional committee before being passed to a national committee for final selection and recommendation to The Queen.

The winners will be announced next June