Diana Balfour

Diana has worked as a volunteer at St Columba's Hospice in Edinburgh for 30yrs. She has cared for many hundreds of terminally ill patients, making their last days and weeks as pain and worry free as is possible. She started as a nurse in the day hospice, caring for people who come in daily or weekly for respite care, and gradually worked her way through the system until she was on the main board, and one of the governors. She introduced fixed tenure for governors and when her term came to the end, she quietly went back to where she started at the day hospice. Diana retired this year aged 75, very few, if any, of her colleagues knew she was a volunteer. As a farewell, she cycled 200 miles in four days, from Edinburgh to Iona, on the west coast of Scotland and raised over £10,000 for St Columba's re-build project. Here is a link to a 3 minute film about her cycle ridehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo8bT391VYM She's currently recovering from 3 spectacular falls off the bike, with bruises to match! The trip was very emotional, it was physically extremely demanding, not only because the weather was appalling but also because 75 is a considerable age to complete an endurance challenge such as that. Diana was profoundly moved by the extent of support she got from her friends, family and colleagues. She's not someone to put herself forward, or who likes to attract attention, but for Diana to carry the torch for a little way would help her to realise how special she is.I think all colleagues knew I was a volunteer, and was only one of 21 people of all ages to do the charity bike ride.