A BAND of volunteers who devoted years to sweetening the stay of bed-bound patients at a Worcester hospital are parking up their trolleys for the last time.

The Good Samaritans from the Red Cross, who have graced Ronkswood's wards for 30 years armed with chocolates, newspapers and toiletries, are winding up the much-loved service in light of the hospital's closure next March.

"We've visited the hospital every week for many years but we feel the service will most likely not be needed at the new hospital," said Red Cross co-ordinator Wally Exall. He visits the hospital, accompanied by nine women from the charity, each Tuesday.

"Patients will have a big new supermarket to choose from and, at the aged of 76, it's getting a bit hard to push the trolleys around.

"I feel a bit sad about calling it a day but have thoroughly enjoyed every minute."

Over the years, the volunteers have become part of the hospital, helping both bed-bound patients with their practical tasks as well as those in need of moral support.

At a leaving lunch at the Talbot Hotel, Kempsey, representatives from the Red Cross presented the group with certificates and gestures of appreciation.

Stephen Onions, patient services manager at Ronkswood, praised the group on behalf of the NHS Trust, saying their help had been invaluable.

"They've supported the hospital through thick and thin," he said.

"The decision to stop was purely made on their part as they thought they'd done enough, but no one knew when to stop."

Mr Onions said the group had provided those little touches which made a patient's stay a more pleasant one.

"If someone had to go for a blood test, they were by their side," he said.

"They'll be sorely missed."