Their efforts save East Oxford hospice charity Helen and Douglas House a whopping £800,000 a year.

And without the army of volunteers supporting the paid staff who run the two hospices, many of the activities for children and young people who receive respite care wouldn’t be possible.

In total, more than 1,500 people give up their time for the hospices for free.

Volunteer manager Wendy Bridge said: “It’s hugely important because we are very limited in the funding we get from the Government. As a result, the extra activities can really only be brought to fruition by having these volunteers.”

About 1,200 of the volunteers work in the charity’s 34 shops, with the remaining 300 working as drivers, receptionists, helping in the kitchen or garden or on the care team, or going in to play music.

Mrs Bridge said: “There is hardly any area where we don’t have at least one volunteer.”

Matt Dolton, 24, from Kidlington, has been volunteering for the care team since July.

Since starting at the hospice, he has decided he wants to go into children’s nursing.

He said: “It’s been an inspiring experience. It’s something you wouldn’t get in a hospital environment because it is really two houses, it’s not clinical with white sheets on the beds.

“I hope my experiences will inspire others to volunteer.”

The hospice recognises volunteering is a two-way street and volunteers hope to get something back in return.

For the care team interns, that could be the opportunity to take an NVQ in care, while other qualifications and training are offered in different areas.

Mrs Bridge said: “The amount of time people give us is invaluable.”

A new project is being set up to train up volunteers to act as an “extra pair of hands” for families in between visits to the hospice.

People are asked to commit to meeting the family in their own home once a week for a year.

Home volunteer project co-ordinator Ben Harman said: “It’s not care at home, it’s not trained counsellors, it’s people who can do every day tasks, providing the consistency of coming in every week.”

The scheme should roll out to 20 families in the first year.

Mr Harman issued a big thank you to everyone who gives up their time for free.

He said: “The biggest reason people volunteer is they believe in the work of the charity.

“It’s students right up to retired people from all walks of life and the variety of volunteering opportunities allows them to come and do something and feel like they’re contributing.”

To find out more about volunteer opportunities at the hospice visit helenanddouglas.org.uk