Volunteers Week - COVID-19 can’t stop 99-year-old Olive

As she approaches her 100th birthday, Olive is arranging 100 flower bouquets in her garden to create 100 smiles and raise money for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd at the same time.

Olive, who will be receiving her telegram from The Queen in September, has been involved with the Hospice for more than 30 years. She has a long history of volunteering since the age of 17.

Born in Bristol and raised in Surrey, Olive started volunteering every weekend at Carshalton War Memorial Hospital and, at the beginning of World War Two, she joined the British Red Cross at Sutton Emergency Hospital, treating severely injured soldiers from Dunkirk and The Blitz.

Later in her volunteering life, Olive became a puppy walker for Guide Dogs for the Blind and joined Chester Flower Club, arranging flower festivals and decorating Westminster Abbey twice.

Olive’s long association with the Hospice of the Good Shepherd has seen her organise flower arrangements over many years, bringing happiness to patients and staff alike.

As coronavirus (COVID-19) has kept Olive at home, she has been busy in the garden and has used flowers donated by Marks & Spencer to put bouquets together for patients and their families.

The Hospice will be posting regular updates on social media for people to follow Olive’s progress, with a JustGiving page set up to help her raise funds along the way.

• Olive’s JustGiving page

Sue Beckett, Volunteer Services Manager at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, added: “When Captain Tom Moore first started fundraising, I told Olive she could give him a good run for his money.

“She has been a committed and passionate advocate of the Hospice from the very start and is the perfect example of a good citizen.

“She has so much respect from everyone at the Hospice and her neighbours in the local community.”

Volunteers Week (1-7 June) is an opportunity to celebrate and thank volunteers for the important role they play in their communities.

How you can get involved

Inspire Cheshire West gives you the opportunity to share your stories about how you’ve supported your community.

• Visit Inspire Cheshire West

You can also share your volunteering stories on your own social media accounts. Make sure you use #VolunteersWeek and download the Volunteers Week artwork Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire West Voluntary Action have developed.

• Volunteers Week Facebook banner
• Volunteers Week Twitter banner

Pictured - 99-year-old Olive is arranging flowers to raise funds for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.