THE selflessness and dedication of fundraisers who give up their free time to help people with terminal illnesses was recognised at a special awards event.

Havens Hospices Long Service Awards were presented yesterday at the Hollywood restaurant, Benfleet.

The charity hosts the awards every year to reward staff and volunteers who have been with the charity for years.

One volunteer who picked up her ten year award was Vi Shorthouse, 78, from Benfleet, a member of the fundraising department at the hospice.

The hospice is close to her heart as her husband, Ken, 64, died at Fair Havens in 1998.

She said: “Ken had cancer of the bowel and over three-and-a-half years following various treatments and operations he was well again for a while. He then found out he had a brain tumour and the cancer spread to his entire body in early 1998.

“He was booked in for a week at Fair Havens so the doctors and nurses could get his medication under control but while there he deteriorated. Ken wanted to die at home, but he was too poorly. He was in the best place. The nurses were wonderful and so lovely to us all.”

Two years later Mrs Shorthouse walked through the doors as a volunteer and never looked back. She added: “I immediately felt I had to give something back because Fair Havens were such a help to my family at that time.”

Another award winner was Dot Beers, 64, from Canvey, who manages Havens’ shop in Hadleigh. She has clocked up 15 years with the charity and is officially the charity’s longest serving shop manager.

She said: “Everyday is completely different and I love working with the volunteers. We have lots of regular customers who come in for a chat and the local community is very supportive.

“I feel more motivated knowing everything we work for is for the hospices and the children and adults we care for.”

Pippa O’Connor, from Canvey, has been working for the hospice’s family support team as a bereavement support volunteer for the past 15 years.

She said: “It might sound odd, but I love going to see bereaved people. It’s simply about meeting them at their time of need and listening.”

Andy Smith, chief executive of the charity presented the awards.