A CANCER support charity in Glasgow has received a top award for its volunteering scheme.

Cancer Support Scotland picked up the Volunteer Friendly Award, a national hallmark for excellence in how volunteers working for an organisation are inspired and managed.

Volunteers provide counselling to those affected by cancer. The charity also provides a range of complementary therapies including aromatherapy, reiki, hypnotherapy, a range of massasges and stress management.

Charity leaders are looking for more volunteers to help as therapists, administrators, fund-raisers and gardeners.

The charity, based at the Gartnavel Hospital, also provides outreach services at The Mitchell Library, Dennistoun Library, The Bridge Library in Easterhouse, Hillhead Library and Renfrew Health Centre.

Bob Bogle, Chairman of Volunteer Glasgow, said: "Heartfelt congratulations to Cancer Support Scotland for this great achievement of being awarded the Volunteer Friendly Award.

"This is a nationally recognised quality standard requiring lots of time and effort to demonstrate that Cancer Support Scotland is a safe pair of hands for those who want to freely give their time to help others."

Chief executive Colin Graham said volunteers played "an increasingly important role within the charity and without volunteers many of our services would not be able to be delivered".

He added: "We would be delighted to hear from volunteers who can support us by using their existing skills as therapists, administrators, fund-raisers, gardeners or in any way they think they can help."

Anyone wanting to volunteer with Cancer Support Scotland should call 0141 337 8199 or visit www.cancersupportscotland.org

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk