Couple retire after years as hospital volunteers

A married couple have retired after working for years as hospital volunteers.

Graham and Linda Gedney have carried out a variety of roles at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital over the past decade.

Mrs Gedney would meet and great people in the infirmary's main building, while Mr Gedney worked in the hospital's emergency department.

Hospital staff and other volunteers held a leaving ceremony with gifts and cards.

Mr Gedney said life would be very different after spending so many years at the hospital.

"You don't often see the impact you have on other people, but it's been lovely to be a part of people's lives and to see people flourish", he said.

"And to be that listening ear when people - patients, families and staff - have needed it."

Mr Gedney, who has been volunteering since 2002, won an award from the hospital trust last year for "going above and beyond".

He was also part of a team of volunteers who visited wards to see how they worked from a patient's perspective.

The couple said they planned to spend more time relaxing and enjoying holidays with their family.

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