HELEN Mears, Coffs Harbour’s most-recognised hospital volunteer, will serve another year as President of the Pink Ladies, a group she has led for more than 30 years.

Helen’s annual report this year touched on the challenges of the past 12 months because of lockdowns, visitor restrictions and fewer opportunities to fundraise.

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“The Pink Ladies has a 50-strong membership but is desperate to boost numbers as many volunteers did not return to the group following COVID-19 visitor restrictions on hospitals over the past two years,” Helen told News Of The Area.

However, despite the challenges, the volunteers still managed to donate an astounding $241,125.94 in medical equipment and patient comfort items to Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

“A quarter of a million dollars is a lot of money, and it was made possible through the Pink Ladies Coffee Shop and Pink Ladies Gift Shop,” she said.

“Every dollar of our profits goes back to the hospital in donated equipment.

“The Pink Ladies donation bought wheelchairs, which are available at the hospital entrance, a podiatry chair, comfy waffle mattresses, and high-back chairs for Medical and Rehabilitation units, equipment and patient-comfort items unlikely to have been purchased by the hospital.

“It’s the cream on the top … making life more comfortable for patients,” said Helen.

Helen’s remarkable length of service includes 41 years as a United Hospital Auxiliary (UHA) volunteer at Coffs.

Her right-hand woman, Treasurer Helen Hardingham, decided to retire from the position at the Pink Ladies’ recent annual general meeting, having given an equally remarkable 20 years’ service in the role.

The 2022-23 Treasurer is June Curry, Vice-president is Adele McKinnon and Heather Hardwick continues as Secretary.

The Pink Ladies also reopened the volunteers’ café in the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute, despite COVID-19 restrictions impacting on volunteer numbers.

North Eastern Regional Representative for the United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW Dee Hunter said the Coffs Harbour Pink Ladies should take a bow after a challenging year where they continued to put patients front and centre.

“Our hospital volunteers on the Mid North Coast are a remarkable group of people,” said Dee.

“They put others first at every opportunity and are 100-per-cent committed to supporting their local public hospital, its patients and staff.

“I couldn’t be prouder of every single one of them, but particularly of the committee members who not only do their bit on the branches’ rosters but give countless hours ensuring their branch continues to support patients and staff.

“People like Helen Mears, Helen Hardingham and Heather Hardwick lead by example and as UHA volunteers, we are thankful for their service.”

Anyone wanting to join this remarkable group of volunteers is encouraged to email Sharon.Fuller1@health.nsw.gov.au

By Andrea FERRARI