Volunteer at Ipswich Hospital Pat Osborne recently (June 4th 2008) attended a reception at Number 10 Downing Street as the guest of local MP Chris Mole and met the Prime Minister.

The event, held to celebrate 60 years of the NHS, saw MPs from across the country the country bring NHS volunteers from their area to see behind the most famous front door in Britain.

Pat is a volunteer with the play team at the hospital and was recently voted as Volunteer of the Year at the Ipswich Hospital Staff Awards 2008. Along with her special assistant Max (a golden retriever dog), she entertains children who are patients - some of whom have terminal illnesses. But Pat's role doesn't stop there. On call until midnight, she returns as 'Granny Pat' to sit with those children who don't have visitors that evening.

Chris said:

"It was a privilege to take Pat as my guest to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister. I know how much joy both Pat and Max bring to the children at Ipswich Hospital at what is a difficult time for both the children and their families.

"The NHS is one of this country's proudest achievements and it is staff and the volunteers like Pat which really make it the success story that it is."

Pat said:

"I had a smashing time, it was a great honour. I enjoyed every minute of the reception."

The Prime Minister said:

"It was an honour to welcome Pat and so many other volunteers like her to Downing Street.

"When the NHS saved my sight it was those who work in the NHS that helped me through that difficult time."