A LONG-serving Stourbridge volunteer has been recognised for almost two decades of service to Mary Stevens Hospice after being awarded the prestigious ‘Order of Mercy’.

Retiree Tom Hill has spent the last 18 years volunteering for the Hagley Road charity, a role he started after he gave up his job as a painter and decorator.

On the day he retired, Mr Hill was working professionally at the hospice, but returned to work at 9am the following day as a volunteer to continue the job he had started, at the charity he had fallen in love with.

He said: “It was a real honour to receive the award, and I’m truly humbled to have been chosen, as there are so many dedicated and inspirational volunteers who thoroughly deserve recognition for the work they do.

“It was a wonderful occasion, and I was so proud to receive the award with my wife and my colleagues by my side.

“Although, I was a little bit disappointed that they wouldn’t let me tell any jokes.”

Friends, family and colleagues of Mr Hill were all present at the recent awards ceremony, which took place at the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London.

Only a small number of people receive the Order of Mercy, which is bestowed upon volunteers each year by the League of Mercy, a group which has been providing and rewarding exceptional voluntary service since 1899.

The Rt Hon Lord Lingfield, president of the League of Mercy, who presented Mr Hill with the award, said: “Mr Hill has done extraordinary work for the welfare of others and those most in need.

“He is a marvellous example of someone whose longstanding and voluntary dedication to the service and welfare of others is noteworthy and remarkable and we were delighted to be able to make this well-deserved award to him.”

Amongst Mr Hill’s supporters at the award presentation was Stevan Jackson, CEO of the Mary Stevens Hospice Group, who said it was a “particular pleasure” to see Mr Hill receive his award.

He added: “I am delighted that Tom’s exceptional service to Mary Stevens Hospice over many years has been recognised by The League of Mercy and from The Rt Hon the Lord Lingfield.

“For Tom to be one of only twenty-five volunteers across the country to be honoured with the badge of the Order of Mercy this year is an outstanding achievement.

“Tom’s award is a testament to the fantastic support that we receive from all of our volunteers, without whom we could not deliver the level of service that our patients and their loved ones need.

“We are most grateful to them all.”