Hospice heroes were thanked for all their hard work at a special festive afternoon tea

The party, hosted in Westburn Church Hall, was the chance for the hospice to say thanks to over 300 volunteers who give up their free time to support the facility.

Hospice chief executive Linda McEnhill says the charity would not exist without their backing.

She said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to thank our volunteers for all the amazing things they do all year round."

Lynsey Young, who is Ardgowan's volunteer service co-ordinator, added: "This is my first Christmas of working with the hospice and it has been a pleasure to organise this event.

"I would like to say thank-you to all our volunteers - they are incredible."

Janice Harron, Carole Chamberlain and Jamesina Boyd say they get so much out of volunteering at the hospice.

Janice from Greenock, who worked as an office supervisor at Golden Casket before retiring, said: "I volunteer in the reception.

"Everybody who works in the hospice is so friendly, they are a great team.

"I have met quite a few patients and their relatives and it's really nice to be able to help them.

"It's hard to put into words what it means to me."

Carole, who is from Gourock and worked as a nurse before retiring, gives up her time as a volunteer driver.

She said: "I enjoy meeting different people and being able to help them by offering this service.

"A lot of people say they wouldn't be able to do it without the drivers.

"I was a nurse so I have that in me that I just want to help people." Jamesina, who is from Greenock, decided to volunteer after the hospice supported her.

She said: "I had breast cancer 13 years ago so I wanted to give something back for all the help they gave me.

"I enjoy volunteering, it's good fun."

The hospice were keen to thank the pupils from St Columba's School in Kilmacolm who sang at the event and also Lorella Sutherland, the Tesco Community Champion who donated chocolates and shortbread for the volunteers and Buchanan's who also donated sweets for the volunteers.