A BAND of dedicated volunteers has always played a part in the smooth running of hospitals in Furness.

In the days before the National Health Service - when people relied on charities and private health insurance - groups held events to raise cash for places like the old North Lonsdale Hospital - Barrow's main medical base.

Volunteers continue to assist into the modern era and The Mail. on Friday, September 3 in 1999, described their work to make stays in hospital both friendly and comfortable.

It noted: "Incredibly, there are more than 250 volunteers at or for Furness General Hospital.

"And Sheila Charnley, voluntary organisations liaison officer for Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust, cannot praise their efforts enough.

"These are the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes helping to make the hospital tick over as smoothly as possible."

She said: "It brings the community into the hospital and really makes it feel like part of the community.

"The volunteers offer so many dimensions of complementary care - helping to dress and feed patients, guiding visitors around the hospital, or providing a simple cup of tea.

"All this helps to make people feel welcome and that they are in a friendly place."

The Women's Royal Voluntary Service had been helping at the hospital since it opened in 1984 and had a tea bar and shop.

It had also provided services for many years at the former general hospital at North Lonsdale.

Pamela Turnage, 80, had been a WRVS helper at Furness General for nine years.

She said: "I come here almost every day and work in the shop or tea bar, wherever I'm needed.”

Furness General was also the base for hospital radio service, Radio Lonsdale.

Its presenters included Jan Kitto, also a WRVS volunteer, who said: "I absolutely love doing the radio show.

"It's such fun and people really seem to enjoy it.”

The Hospital Equipment Fund for Furness had been going for 16 years and had raised £700,000 for hospital equipment, including a gamma camera, CT scanner and foetal heart monitor.

Its chairman, Pam Bradley, said: "People have always supported us very well because we are a local charity.

"We are very pleased with their support."