IF you’ve ever spent time in Port Macquarie Base Hospital, it is likely that you have interacted with one of the “Pink Ladies”.
This dedicated group of approximately 70 women and 30 men can be found in almost every ward of the hospital and refer to themselves as ‘gophers’.
With one volunteer scheduled on most wards each day, they provide practical assistance to hospital staff and attend to patient comfort.
This can be as diverse as disinfecting and charging IV stands, making beds, transporting patients in wheelchairs, and maintaining a clothing pool so that all patients can depart the hospital fully dressed.
Additionally, they do the rounds with a trolley containing snacks, toiletries, magazines, and books.
Gabby Gregory has been a volunteer for the last 14 years and spent 12 of those as President of the group.
“We moved up from Melbourne, and I wanted to find an opportunity for community work,” she told News Of The Area.
“I had done a lot of volunteering down there. I think it is in my blood.
“The volunteers I work with are simply an amazing team.
Just thinking about them brings tears to my eyes, I couldn’t support a better cause.”
As the group’s main priority is active assistance, they only do a small amount of fundraising.
All funds raised are used to purchase equipment for the hospital.
Their last fundraiser for the year is hampers overflowing with Christmas fare, vouchers generously donated by local businesses, and gift cards.
The raffle will be drawn on 8 December, with all winners notified.
Voucher donations are still being accepted and tickets can be purchased from the Pink Ladies at the hospital.
For enquiries, contact Gabby Gregory at arthurgregory14@bigpond.com.
By Rachael THORPE
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