A TOTAL of 150 long-serving volunteers from Martin House Hospice at Boston Spa are being invited to Bishopthorpe Palace next month as the hospice celebrates its 25th birthday.

The charity’s patron, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has invited the volunteers to join him at two tea parties which are to be held at the palace, near York, on Thursday, July 12, and Friday, July 13.

Alyson Wort, Head of Fundraising at the hospice, which provides respite care to sick children, said this was one of many events being put on to thank all those who had been so generous with their time during the last 25 years.

“We rely so much on their efforts which help us to care for around 500 children and their families each year,” she said.