THE quiet army of people who give up their time to help the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice will have a wide range of reasons for wanting to volunteer.

Some with jobs or a family may be able to spare only a couple of hours a week while others can devote much of their time and effort to improving the lot of patients and visitors.

But whether they are former medical staff or carers, hairdressers or people who are happy running the hospital shop, they all provide a vital service.

Some will raise badly need cash while others will provide a hand to hold or offer a friendly smile.

Each and every one deserves our thanks for giving up their own time to try to make the lives of people facing a medical crisis that little bit better.