News

Hollie’s festive gift to hospice

23 December 2009

Hollie’s festive gift to hospice

A Teenager is giving a special gift to a hospice this Christmas by offering two months of work for free.

Hollie Hughes, of St Mary’s Road, Clacton, won funding to complete a two-month work placement at a charity of her choice.

She chose St Helena Hospice, which cares for patients with terminal conditions.

The 19-year-old beat off competition from more than 1,000 applicants for mobile phone company Vodafone’s Wold of Difference Programme, which provides funding for 500 people to complete work for their favourite charity.

Hollie has already been volunteering at St Helena Hospice’s branch in Clacton, giving art classes to patients once a week.

The Hospice cared for her grandfather there several years ago.

She will spend her placement with St Helena Hospice as a nurse’s assistant, getting involved in helping in patients’ personal care and learning to assist the medical staff.

Hollie said: “I saw the competition advertised and thought it would be a good chance to work with them full time.

“I was very pleased to have been picked, and I am glad I can contribute to such a fantastic charity.”

The former Colbayns student, who completed her A-levels this summer, said it will also give her the chance of trying out care work before she goes to university next year.

Hollie will start her work placement in January.

Vodafone will pay £2,500 to the hospice to pay Hollie’s salary while she is with them, and will also give her a mobile phone so she can record and share her time there.

Sonia Elks, Clacton Gazette, Tuesday December 22^nd