Stowupland St Elizabeth Hospice worker Annie Bowen Wright scoops top volunteering award

A hospice volunteer from Stowupland has scooped a top award for her work after nearly a decade of service.

Annie Bowen Wright, who works at St Elizabeth Hospice, based in Ipswich, was named joint winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Award in this year’s Suffolk Community Awards.

Annie, who has been volunteering at the hospice since 2013, said receiving the award was an honour and a blessing.

She added: "I enjoy my volunteering and find the work rewarding. It gives me the chance to appreciate what I have in my life and give something back to those less fortunate than me. I work with dedicated and caring people

and love the work I do.

"To anyone thinking of volunteering, try it, and you will probably be surprised how it gives you a sense of purpose in life and at the same time, has a positive impact in the community."

Annie is one of more than 1,500 volunteers who give up their time to work to support the hospice.

Volunteers like her staff its 32 shops, help out at the inpatient unit, or aid the hospice's administration teams.

Each year their work supports over 3,000 people living with life-changing illnesses and their families in East Suffolk, Waveney and Great Yarmouth.

Jemma Wood, the head of volunteering at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: "We are absolutely delighted for Annie and for this deserved recognition of her commitment and support to the hospice.

"She is a real superstar and like all of our amazing volunteers, who every year generously donate their time to the hospice, she is a brilliant ambassador for the charity. Put simply, St Elizabeth Hospice would not be what it is today without our volunteers."