WHEN people visit East Lancashire Hospice they are guaranteed to be met by a friendly face and a warm smile.

That is the pledge of volunteer receptionists Janine Telfer and Laura Isherwood, who have been helping at the charity for a combined 17 years.

The duo have made it their mission to help visitors feel at ease.

And as former patients of the hospice, they both know how important that is.

Laura, from Cherry Tree, Blackburn, was invited to the day therapy unit after she developed breast cancer at the age of 55.

But she readily admits that at first she did not want to go.

The great-grandmother, now 65, said: “My reaction was ‘no, sorry, people die in the hospice’. That is what a lot of people think.

“But in the end I did try it, and the support that I got was tremendous, from a volunteer making you a cup of tea to the doctor treating you like a special person.”

When Laura’s cancer went into remission, she wanted the hospice to remain part of her life.

She said: “They asked me would I like to move on, in a very nice way, because I wanted to continue coming forever!

“But I had to give somebody else the opportunity, so I asked if I could be a volunteer.”

She started working on the reception desk, and it was there she met former infant school teacher Janine, from Wilpshire.

Janine, 61, first came to the hospice to visit a friend, and to accompany another pal to day therapy sessions.

She was impressed by the compassion and caring atti- tude of the staff and volunteers, and touched by the approach of one volunteer in particular, decided she would like to help in the same way.

However, her relationship with the hospice changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer.

She said she received ‘superb care’ from her GP and medical staff at Burnley and Blackburn hospitals, plus the Rosemere Cancer Centre in Preston, but felt she needed more support.

She joined the hospice’s ‘newly diagnosed’ programme, and a group of eight ladies with breast cancer.

She said: “Each week we have a speaker on topics, which range from complimentary therapies, physiotherapy advice to support with returning to work.

“We laugh a lot, and at times shed tears together.”

Laura gives talks about her experiences to the newly diagnosed groups.

She said: “I can't feel what they are feeling, because we're all different, but they ask me questions and I feel like I've helped them.

“You can open up, whereas perhaps you wouldn't be as open at home because you don't want to worry your family.”

Janine added: “I've come as a support to other friends, then a volunteer, then a patient.

“You never know when it might be your time to need the care the hospice gives.”

The Lancashire Telegraph has launched a campaign to raise £125,000 to replace the dilapidated roof.

How to donate

  • By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

    Charity No 1075653.

  • Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
  • At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
  • By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
  • By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.

Click on the link below for more information on the Raise The Roof campaign.