Staff at a children’s hospice have paid tribute to work done by unpaid staff during National Volunteers Week.

Founder of Richard House Children’s Hospice and life president Anthea Hare and chief executive Peter Ellis will host a cream tea on June 7 at the hospice to thank volunteers for their support.

There will also be cream teas in all seven Richard House charity shops for the volunteers there.

Peter Ellis said: “We are very lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers who give their time freely and so generously. National Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7) is a great opportunity for us to recognise and publicly thank all our volunteers.”

Richard House will also present certificates that recognise the volunteers’ commitment as well as holding prize draws exclusively for volunteers.

There are more than 200 volunteers who help at the hospice and its seven charity shops in West Essex.

Volunteer receptionist Rose Keating, 80, from Beckton, has been involved for a decade. She said: “I found out about Richard House through my local church, St Mark’s in Beckton, and I decided to volunteer. That was before there was even a hospice here.”

Derek James, 70, a retired teacher from Silvertown, has been volunteering for more than five years. He also ran the London Marathon this April to celebrate his 70th birthday, raising over £3,500 for the hospice. He was inspired to volunteer by the volunteers at the adult hospice at which his cousin was cared.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Tarcia Abreu: TarciaA@richardhouse.org.uk (020 7540 0225).