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A St Nicholas Hospice Care scheme to help Haverhill people in need has been such a success that it is in desperate need of more volunteers.

Hospice Neighbours aims to help those with everyday tasks – such as walking the dog or picking up a prescription – because they are too ill to do them.

Launched a year ago in Haverhill, where the initiative was piloted, the scheme has proved such a success it has now been rolled out to Stanton, Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and Newmarket.

Hospice Neighbours aims to help those suffering life-shortening illness and their families by sending volunteers – or ‘neighbours’ – to help with the little jobs that can become overwhelming when you are ill, or to simply sit and chat over a cuppa.

Since the scheme launched in Haverhill in January 2011, Hospice Neighbours have visited patients in the town 125 times and spent more than 152 hours overall performing everyday tasks, but mainly offering companionship.

Kay Newman, Hospice Neighbours co-ordinator, said: “The sad fact is there are currently only eight volunteers looking after 17 patients, and we have two patients who have recently been referred on hold.

“We really need volunteers to sign up for the scheme. They can give as much or as little time as they like, and they will receive full training.”

For more information about volunteering for Hospice Neighbours, or if you or a loved one are suffering life-shortening illness and think you could use Hospice Neighbours, contact Evelyn Carter on 07875 354698.