Haven House Children’s Hospice’s longest-serving volunteer has been honoured at the Heart of Essex Awards for her tireless support for the charity.

Little Ilford resident Violet Pace, who celebrated her 85 birthday on Tuesday 18 October, attended a glitzy evening ceremony at Hyland House in Chelmsford last week where she received second place in the Volunteer of the Year category.

Violet has been with Haven House from the very beginning and long before the hospice opened its doors at its home, The White House, in Woodford Green in 2003.

Having worked at the Kenneth Moore Theatre in Ilford for more than 30 years, Violet started volunteering with Haven House in 1999 when the charity was operating from a temporary office on Cranbrook Road in Ilford.

Violet recalled: “Back then Haven House had one fundraiser, an administrator, a facilities person and just two or three volunteers. It’s lovely to see how everything has changed since those early days”.

Mike Palfreman, Chief Executive of Haven House, said: “We are delighted that Violet has been honoured for her long-standing volunteering.  

“Violet’s ability to brighten up everyone’s day at Haven House with a joke and song makes her wonderful company. She is simply a legend and an inspiration to all of us.

“Violet is one of more than 300 volunteers who give their time to Haven House each year and help us make an immeasurable difference to life-limited children in our local area.”

Violet said: “I love volunteering at Haven House because it’s such a lovely place; the good that we do here and the care that we provide to the children is exceptional. I hope more volunteers can come and join us.”

If you are inspired by Violet and would like to give your time to Haven House, please visit our volunteering page to find out more about our roles.

You can read more about the incredible story of Violet on our Time to Make a Difference page.