A volunteer with a long record of providing entertainment and support for children at Stepping Hill Hospital has been recognised with one of Greater Manchester highest honours.
Charles Hamilton, known to friends, patients and colleagues alike as ‘Skip’, has been presented with the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Award for an amazing 70 years voluntary work, both with the Scouts and with children in local hospitals in Stockport.
Skip has been entertaining children at the Stepping Hill Hospital’s Treehouse children’s unit since 2000, and was also active in other local hospitals for many years before that.
He began his volunteering work in the Scouts 70 years ago, and since then has also worked at Marple Orthopaedic Hospital, Cherry Tree Hospital and Stockport Infirmary, before moving on to the Treehouse unit.
Skip shows children how to play games from all around the world, and is particularly adept at teaching children how to make paper aeroplanes. As well as entertaining young patients, he also tends to the Treehouse gardens to keep them looking good.
Back in 2013, Skip received a regional ‘Pride of Britain’ award for his years of service. Last year, colleagues on the Treehouse unit gave a party for his 90th birthday to show their thanks for his years of dedication.
Skip was presented with the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Award which rewards local people who have shown outstanding service. He was awarded £500 as part of the honour, which kindly donated to Treehouse unit through the Stockport NHS Charity to be used on purchasing new plants for the garden, and for new toys to keep young patients distracted and entertained.
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust Voluntary Service Manager Yvonne Hewitt said; “Skip is a much loved and hugely valued volunteer who has brought smiles to young patients on our children’s ward and to many others for so many years. We’re all delighted for him to have his dedication and service recognised High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Award, and it’s a typically generous gesture for him to have donated his prize money to help support children on the unit.”