HAVENS Hospices has honoured staff and volunteers at an awards ceremony to thank them for their dedication.

Havens, which runs Fair Havens adult hospice in Westcliff, and Little Havens Children’s Hospice in Thundersley, gave awards to more than 30 volunteers and staff for their contributions over the past 30 years.

Some have been involved for all that time, and each recipient was given a certificate by Havens chief executive Andy Smith and director of care Wendy Dodds.

One of the hospice’s first volunteers, Pearl Naylor, from Southend, received an award for work at Fair Havens, in Chalkwell Avenue, Westcliff, since it opened in 1983.

After being honoured with a standing ovation, Pearl, 88, said: “I cared for my father at the end of his life and soon after he died, I found out a hospice was to be built.

“It was a totally new concept, but I thought how wonderful it would have been if it was there for my father.

“From that day, I decided I wanted to help others in a similar position and started volunteering. You name it I’ve done it – cleaning, fundraising, hosting.

I even used to cook dinners for families at weekends.

“I remember in that first year, I used to count out the pennies to see if we could pay the staff’s wages at the end of the month.

“I can’t believe it’s been 30 years. It’s just like a family here, there’s always laughter, despite what people may think. It’ll always be a part of my life.

I love it.”