CATHY O’DONNELL remembers fondly the annual garden fete in the grounds of John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank that did much to boost the funds of St Margaret of Scotland Hospice.

A gala event in the town’s calendar, it started in June 1953 in the recreation park with everything from beer and hot dog stalls to pipe bands.

A train from Yoker to Clydebank Central station brought people in search of a fun day out in the sun and thanks to John Brown managing director John Rannie, men from the shipyard and equipment were provided to help with the running of the event.

“It was well attended by people from far and wide. It used to be a standing joke if you wanted to plan something, we’d say to do it on the day of the garden fete because it always got good weather,” laughs Cathy.

The 89-year-old first got involved in fundraising in the 1950s through her husband Harry, a member of the Knights of St Columba who raised money for the first hospice set up in a house in Millbrae Crescent, Clydebank, by two nuns from the Dublin-based Sisters of Charity.

“When these two nuns came, the people of Clydebank really took them under their wing. I was involved in volunteering from the early days. The people of Clydebank were the first who helped out.”

Cathy soon joined forced with a group of like-minded local people who called themselves the Hospice Associates. They organised fundraising concerts and dances as well as the garden fete.

“I teamed up with Sister Bernadine, who was in charge of the kitchen, and many a laugh we had together. She had a stall at the garden fete with toys and lucky dips and we took her to the wholesalers to buy everything she needed and then started making up lucky dips at home or in one of the rooms at the hospice,” says Cathy.

With two grown up children, a grandchild and a great grandchild, Cathy still finds time to attend the annual ladies lunch and other fundraising events.

“My daughter used to joke that the week of the garden fete her and her brother were hospice orphans,” says Cathy. “Working with the hospice wasn’t a job, it was a pleasure. The nuns are all wonderful workers. We were only there to give them the support and the backing they needed.

“I remember the first time we raised £1000 at the garden fete and there was a big cheer.

“We had a lot of satisfaction in seeing things grow from nothing to the hospice it is today and you can take pride in that.”

A team of more than 200 volunteers are the backbone of the hospice, giving up their time to fundraise, run shops or help at East Barns Street, offering services from IT worker, receptionist or even therapist.

Thomas Burns from Kelvindale has been a driver since he took early retirement from his job as a lecturer at Anniesland College.

The 67-year-old comes in every Wednesday to pick up outpatients and bring them into the hospice for treatment and lunch, then take them home again in the afternoon.

“I got involved at the hospice by accident. I met a chap I knew who told me he did a bit of voluntary work at St Margaret’s and that they are always looking for people,” he says.

“I wanted to do something different from my old job and I thought I’d like to try driving. I came down for an interview, took part in the training programme and off I went.”

He says he loves being in the hospice, with its air of peacefulness and tranquillity, and the chance to meet people.

“I feel alive again, I’m interacting with people and that was missing from my life,” he says.

“I get a lot of fun out of it. I think the most important part of the patients’ day is the first part, so when you pick them up it’s a nice jovial, friendly, warm face they meet.

“I know everyone’s name, where they used to work, what they do, all about their family. It’s always enjoyable.”

Thomas was mentored for a while by a full-time member of staff before he worked on his own. He says every hour you give the organisation is greatly appreciated.

“Apart from the obvious financial aspect that my voluntary work saves the hospice money, I like to think I’m a team player,” he says. “There are hundreds of volunteers doing lots of different jobs.

“I’d say to anyone interested in volunteering to find something they want to do. Don’t be frightened to come down and don’t worry about how much time you have to give: it could be one hour, one day or one week.

“The hospice movement is a wonderful place to volunteer, the welcome is unbelievable.

“There are teenagers fundraising right through to oldies like me who are retired.”

Visit www.smh.org.uk/help-at-the-hospice