It was over 60 years ago when the Rotary Club of Sidcup, Queen Mary’s Hospital and the local community set up the Friends of Queen Mary’s.

Now with many changes at the site, the friends are opening a completely new Friends Café due to open in June in the completely refurbished main entrance to the hospital.

The Friends is supported by volunteers who work to generate profits which are then distributed in the form of discretionary awards for the benefit and well-being of patients, visitors and staff at Queen Mary’s Hospital.

More than £3m has been awarded over the years.

Without the considerable efforts of the volunteers these grants could not be made.

At the heart of the Friends are the volunteers. Without them there would be no Friends.

The Friends need to look ahead to the challenges of a constantly changing hospital environment. Queen Mary’s Hospital is safe for the foreseeable future with the services being offered expanding gradually.

The Friends recognise that there is always a demand for more volunteers to develop and expand the facilities within the hospital.

Do you like the idea of becoming a volunteer? Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity for you to meet people, utilise your existing skills or gain new ones.

It will also give you a sense of personal satisfaction as you will be playing a part in keeping Queen Mary’s at the heart of the community.

If you can offer your services for a few hours per week, the Friends would very much like to hear from you.

Phone Linda Anslow on 07811 411700. Or you can write to her at Friends Shops Limited, Queen Mary’s Hospital, Frognal Avenue, Sidcup, DA14 6LT

Article submitted by Derek Hope