Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of West Midlands, Mr Paul Sabapathy CBE has presented the prestigious British Empire Medal to Good Hope Hospital volunteer, Cecily Gilbert for services to the community.

Cecily has been recognised for devoting endless hours to running the Hospital’s patient library for more than 50 years.  The service, which was originally started just after the Second World War by her mother, gives patients an escape from their time in Hospital with quality reads.

The 81-year-old from Four Oaks joined the patient library service as a volunteer in 1960 and since then the service has thrived.  Now with a team of seven, Cecily organises volunteers to hand out books once a week, makes sure the books are cleaned and disinfected so hygiene standards are maintained and organises book sales to contribute to the costs of the service.

Cecily said: “I’ve really enjoyed being involved with the Hospital’s patient library, I like having things to do and organising things, and I like books too of course.

“As I’ve got older and retired, it’s been a way to keep in touch with friends who also help out.  It’s also satisfying to see patients faces light up when you hand them a book.

“I’m absolutely stunned to have received a British Empire Medal and didn’t expect to at all, it’s very nice to be acknowledged in this way.”

Good Hope Hospital volunteer service advisor, Angela Butts, said: “I’m immensely proud of Cecily’s achievement.  The Library service is well known and popular with staff and patients alike. I’m delighted that Cecily’s hard work, dedication and long service to the Hospital has been recognised and that she has been honoured in this way.”

Cecily was presented with the British Empire Medal at Good Hope Hospital on Friday 16 May.

If you are interested in volunteering at Good Hope, please contact the volunteer team on 0121 424 0530.