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At the age of 91 - hospital volunteer Ron Nash has spent almost three decades bringing a smile and offering a kind word to patients, visitors and staff.

As one of 82 Wayfinders at Peterborough City Hospital, Ron's 26 years of dedication have been recognised with a coveted North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust Outstanding Achievement award.

Staff from across the Trust were invited to nominate worthy volunteers for the award, with judges narrowing the many nominations down to a shortlist of just three.

And at the recent Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony at Peterborough Cathedral, Ron was presented with the accolade of Volunteer of the Year - where he received a standing ovation as he walked to collect the award from Trust Chair, Professor Steve Barnett OBE.

 

Ron began volunteering following the death of his first wife and says he enjoys the interaction and contact with patients - knowing that his words and actions make a positive impact in helping them find their way around the hospital.

Ron, who is part of the regular Thursday volunteering team, said: “It's a sense of helping people who need a little bit of encouragement to get through the doors and to where they need to be. 

“As volunteers, we talk to people and do our best to calm them down and even persuade people who are booked for an operation to stay instead of turning around and walking out of the hospital.”

He added: “I'm 91 but I like helping what I call the 'old ladies' and really love having a bit of banter and I'll say something silly and it cheers them up. You can see them smile and it sends them on their way with a bit more happiness.”

Ron was nominated for the award by Sarah Clarkson, Cardiology Clinical Pathway Co-ordinator -who worked closely with Ron in her former role as Volunteer Co-ordinator. 

She said: “Ron consistently demonstrates the core values of the Trust. His compassion and kindness are evident in every interaction, always placing patients at the centre of everything he does. He helps ensure a safe and welcoming environment at the front entrance of the hospital. Ron is a true ambassador for volunteering.

“His actions not only support the day to day running of the hospital but also promote and elevate the role of volunteering and he truly deserves this award,”

The Trust is proud to have 430 volunteers working in 54 different roles across its hospitals.

Volunteers shortlisted in this category were:

-       Ian Forshaw - PALS volunteer at Peterborough City Hospital

-       Janet Barton - Volunteer at Hinchingbrooke Hospital's Cherry Ward

 

Ron Nash (91) - honoured with the Volunteer of the Year award at the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust's Outstanding Achievement Awards 2026.

Pictured also with his wife Mary and Sarah Clarkson, Cardiology Clinical Pathway Co-ordinator