A NORTH Devon Hospice shop volunteer in Holsworthy has been invested in the Order of Mercy in a prestigious ceremony at London’s Mansion House.

Pauline Wonnacott, who is volunteer manager of the charity’s Holsworthy shop, was bestowed with the honour after 27 years of service to the hospice.

Lord Lingfield, president of the league of mercy, presented Pauline with her medal, an experience she said was ‘very surreal’.

Having received her honour, which was bestowed upon just 27 people this year for extraordinary voluntary service, Pauline said: “I can’t believe that I’ve got an award for doing something I’ve loved for 27 years.

“The hospice asked me if I’d be happy for them to put my name forward for an award, but I didn’t think too much of it. I thought maybe it would be a local event in Barnstaple or something.

“Then I got a letter in the post with the royal coat of arms and thought someone must be having me on! Next thing I know I’m in London shaking hands with Lord Lingfield and HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia!”

Of course, the letter was genuine and Pauline’s years of service, managing North Devon Hospice’s Holsworthy shop on an entirely voluntary basis, was being recognised with a very rare honour. She still insists that she has got as much out of volunteering as she has given back: “It works both ways, because being here has helped me a lot and I’ve made a lot of friends over the years.

“But I am very proud of the money that we raise through the hospice shop here in Holsworthy, although none of it would be possible without the other volunteers that help to run the shop. We’re one big team and I’d like to thank them too, because we can only achieve things by working together.”

Sam Husband, director of finance at North Devon Hospice, accompanied Pauline to the ceremony at the Lord Mayor of London’s residence. She said it was a proud moment for everyone involved in the charity: “Pauline is an absolute legend at North Devon Hospice. Everybody knows how fantastic the Holsworthy shop is, and how it runs like clockwork thanks to her tireless efforts. In fact, it raises around £80,000 each year, raising well in excess of one millions pounds over the years, which has helped us care for countless local people.”

She added: “It was a privilege to put Pauline’s name forward for this award and she thoroughly deserves to be recognised for her years of dedication. The hospice simply couldn’t operate without our army of volunteers, so this is nice to see one of our longest serving honoured in this way.”

Volunteers are involved in all aspects of hospice life. Find out how to get involved by visiting www.northdevonhospice.org.uk