Order Of Mercy Award

A VOLUNTEER from Westcliff has received one of the country’s highest honours for voluntary services after dedicating 26 years to supporting local hospice care.
Bobbie Nichols was presented with the Order of Mercy, by Lord Lingfield, President of The League of Mercy Foundation.
Ms Nichols has volunteered for Havens Hospices since November 1999, taking on two roles, dividing her time between being a Care Assistant at Little Havens, and helping raise vital funds as a Fundraising Administrator.
At the children’s hospice, Ms Nichols oversees the hospice’s card-writing programme, which sees her choose and organise birthday cards for every child under the hospice’s care and anniversary cards for families whose loved ones have died, updating family lists each month so cards reach families at the right time.
She also supports the weekly ‘Stay and Play’ sessions, helping the Care Team and spending time with children and their families.
Lorraine Wilce, Children and Young People’s Service Coordinator said: “The impact Bobbie has on writing cards for our families, and her support at Stay and Play, is immeasurable. She always has a cheerful smile and fits in with the team beautifully. We would be lost without her.”
Lucy Lock, Community Engagement Manager, said Ms Nichols’ contribution to the fundraising team has been just as valuable: “Bobbie is a dedicated, reliable and thoughtful volunteer who brings real care to everything she does. Without her, we would greatly miss her reliability, her meticulous attention to detail, and the warmth she brings to the team.”
Ms Nichols was presented with her medal at a special ceremony at Haberdashers’ Hall in the City of London on Friday 3 July, attended by her daughter, Laura, and Donna White, a play specialist at Little Havens who works alongside Ms Nichols each week.
Speaking about receiving the award, Ms Nichols said: “It was a bit of a shock when I found out I’d been chosen – there are so many people who work tirelessly for Havens Hospices and other charities that I found myself thinking, why me?
“The ceremony itself was very emotional, hearing the stories of the other people being recognised, especially some young Army Cadets who had each individually been awarded for saving a life – it was very humbling.”
She added: “I love my role as a volunteer – everyone here makes me feel like one of the team, not just someone who comes in each week to help. I look forward to my sessions with the children and having fun with them. Volunteering gives you a wonderful sense of purpose in retirement, and working alongside young people helps you stay in touch with a changing world.”
The League of Mercy was founded on 30 March 1899 by the Royal Charter of Queen Victoria and was re-founded in 1999 as a UK-registered charity.
Picture: Bobbie Nichols with Lord Lingfield. Pic: Havens
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