KIRKWOOD Hospice, with between 400 and 500 volunteers, relies a lot on its over 50s.
People like David Oldfield, 71, of Beaumont Park, a former worsted designer.
He has been working for the hospice for 14 years. David is one of the dedicated team under Eileen Roughsedge who look after the hospice gardens.
The motivation? "A feeling that you are putting a bit back."
Whatever, it gets him coming in on a Monday morning - often in weather such that he would never dream of working on his own garden!
A newer recruit is Geoff Sykes, 55, of Lascelles Hall, a retired fireman who has seen service at the Huddersfield and Brighouse stations.
He's used to serving the community in a job with variety and when he started looking round for a possible new job found that he was bored with the dull routine of what was on offer.
His wife's father died in the hospice in January and Geoff, during countless visits, got to admire the dedication of the full-time staff - nurses, sisters and the fundraisers - and the homely atmosphere of the hospice, not at all like a hospital or a nursing home.
Buttressed by his pension and with his wife working Geoff volunteered.
They asked him "Can you clean windows?" - he was a window cleaner before a fireman - and now turns up once or twice or month to do the windows, as well as every Thursday afternoon to help out with driving and deliveries.
Anyone who wants to volunteer their services, particularly in the garden, should ring the hospice on 01484-557900.
