Claire House Children’s Hospice celebrated the birthday of their oldest volunteer last week.
Staff and volunteers at the Claire House charity shop in Mold threw a surprise tea party, to celebrate the 90th birthday of volunteer Ella Towell.
Ella has been a volunteer for the charity for eight years and began working in the charity’s shop in Buckley before moving to work in the shop on Mold high street.
“I visited Claire House and within half an hour of being there I knew that they were the charity I wanted to volunteer for. The work they do to help the children and their families is fantastic,” said Ella.
At the grand old age of 90 Ella still volunteers for the full day in the shop on a Wednesday and Saturday and she shows no signs of slowing down.
“I love everything about volunteering in the shop, I’m always front of shop sorting the racks, greeting customers and talking to so many different people.
“I work with such a great group of volunteers; we all get on so well. I don’t think I’ll ever stop volunteering here, they’ll have to throw me out,” she said.
To celebrate her special day Ella was surprised with gifts, a tea party and flowers.
“I don’t like much fuss, but for everyone at the shop to surprise me was lovely. I have even more surprises to come, my family have told me not to make any plans for Friday because they are planning something big.”
Ella knows she is lucky to live a long and healthy life, when asked her secret she answered: “Many years ago when I was in my teens a nurse told me a teaspoon of whiskey in my first cup of tea each morning would keep me healthy, I’ve done it since then and still do.”
Ella is one of 16 volunteers that help in the shop, shop manager Angela Lloyd said that the help of volunteers like Ella is wonderful.
She said: “Ella is a valued volunteer, she’s just brilliant. She always in the front of the shop greeting customers and chatting away to everybody that walks through the door.
“Without the help of volunteers like Ella keeping the shop running would be so much harder.”
Claire House Children’s Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full. The hospice helps families smile again when life couldn’t get any tougher.
If you are interested in volunteering For Claire House call 0151 343 0883 or visit www.clairehouse.org for more information.
