Hospital honours volunteering duo

Eileen McMahon and Suzanne Boet were each presented with a special award on Monday.

Eileen of Sunridge Avenue, Luton, is the hospital’s longest serving volunteer, having been at the L&D Hospital for 40 years, firstly via the British Red Cross in 1974 and then latterly through the Charity ‘Changing Faces’.

She uses her unique skills as a Skin Camouflage Practitioner for patients who have a visible disfigurement, e.g. scarring, birthmarks or conditions such as vitiligo. Birthmarks or port wine stains can pose a serious emotional and psychological challenge.

Eileen supports adults and children, sharing her expertise, recommending products and teaching patients how to apply the creams themselves

She has already received The Queen’s Badge of Honour: awarded by the British Red Cross for exceptional service to the British Red Cross or to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and it is limited to 30 holders at any one time.

Suzanne Boet of Manor Road, Barton Le Clay has given 30 years of voluntary service

Every week, year after year her flower arrangements appear in the Hospital Chapel bringing colour and beauty.