A KIND-HEARTED woman from Basingstoke has marked 25 years of dedicating her time to help a hospice in the town. 

Sylvia Nelson began volunteering for St Michael's Hospice in 1998 and recently celebrated more than two decades of supporting the charity by working in its shops. 

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Sylvia had retired from her job as a warden, working with vulnerable people, to look after her dad in the late 1990s. After he died, Sylvia looked for volunteering opportunities in the local area and came across an opportunity at St Michael's Hospice.

Sylvia said: "I started volunteering for St Michael's in 1998, initially working in the Brighton Hill store before moving to Kings Road, where I have been for the past 21 years. I've done quite a bit with St Michael's in the local area, including helping to open the stores in both Alton and Newbury.

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"It's a great charity, so being able to help out is always nice. It's a rewarding role and one I have enjoyed, meeting all the lovely people using the store, particularly the regulars who you get to know."

Sylvia added: "I'm really pleased to have been able to volunteer for as long as I have and to receive recognition is lovely. It's been very rewarding and it's a good thing to be nice and able to give back to the community."

As well as volunteering for St Michael's, Sylvia also dedicates time to supporting Opensight Basingstoke and knits hats for newborn babies for a hospital in Bedfordshire.