Around 80 Cobalt volunteers enjoyed an afternoon tea as a small way for the charity to say thank you for all their efforts.

The annual volunteer celebration was held at Dean Close School and attended by the senior management team of the charity, including its President and one of its original founders, Howard Crooks.

Paying tribute afterwards, Jim Brown, Cobalt’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This annual event is important. It is both a celebration recognising all that our volunteers do for the charity and also a mark of our appreciation for their work. The Cobalt volunteers are essential to the charity, and their support includes upcycling cards for resale, staffing events, supporting our staff, and direct fundraising.”

Two volunteers received the Dr Fred Hanna OBE Award for their outstanding contribution to volunteering – Pauline Kell and Peter Simms.

In addition, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Angela and Frank Nobel; Pete and Maxine Low; Geoff and Jan Dyer; and Liz and Paul Able, who have all volunteered at the Gloucestershire Steam and Country Extravaganza on behalf of Cobalt for many years.

The charity runs an ongoing volunteer programme. Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to contact fundraising@cobalthealth.co.uk.