A DEDICATED young volunteer from Malvern has been nominated for a top award in recognition of her work for St Richard’s Hospice.
Fran Ashley has tirelessly volunteered at the hospice’s Malvern store for nearly two years and has also helped at various fund-raising events.
The 18-year-old was nominated by St Richard’s for a Young Person’s Community Award at the Our Malvern Hills Community Awards 2017.
The former Chase School student will find out if she has won the prize at the awards ceremony tonight at Malvern Town FC’s Langland Stadium on Langland Avenue.
“It was a surprise – I didn’t know I had been nominated,” said Miss Ashley.
“Volunteering at the shop has been fun, I do different things like having talks with people especially when they are paying.
“I think a couple of years ago I was quite shy and I think I have gained more confidence. I like helping people.
“I do a fair amount – I learned how to use the till and I polish the furniture on the shop floor to make them more noticeable to customers.
“I often carry and move the heavier donations and certain furniture either onto the shop floor or out to customers’ cars, as long as it’s safe for me to do so.”
Maggie Duffield, manager at the hospice’s Malvern department store, nominated Miss Ashley for the award.
“All my volunteers are awesome but Fran actually volunteers for other hospice departments,” she said.
“I nominated her because she volunteers her time so readily to other hospice departments – she is just an all-round good egg.
“She looks out for the younger volunteers and is willing to do whatever is asked of her. We have seen her grow in confidence.
“She is a very good team player. I’m proud of her because she is an ambassador for volunteers and she is an ambassador for St Richard’s.”
