A DYNAMIC voluntary duo have been praised for their dedication to helping patients at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

Gourock ladies Mary Lyle, 63, and Kendal Paterson, 60, started volunteering at IRH at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The big-hearted pair were initially involved in delivering personal protective equipment to wards.

As further restrictions were introduced, Mary and Kendal joined the 'Give & Go' service, helping family members with dropping-off supplies to loved ones in hospital.

Former British Airways cabin crew member Kendal, who retired just before the pandemic, decided to get involved after watching the 'magnitude of what was unfolding' across the NHS.

She said: "I just really wanted to do anything I could to help.

"I know people were standing and clapping for the NHS but I wanted to do more.

"Knowing that some of these patients and staff were neighbours, friends and members of our community meant I had to do something."

Retired mental health nurse manager Mary first got involved in helping out at IRH when her volunteering role at Ardgowan Hospice was put on hold due to restrictions.

Mary said: "Seeing the impact of what was going on, I felt that we all had to pull together to help out.

"I'm used to working with the public and in care and I'm comfortable working in this field, so I think my volunteering at the hospice and at the IRH was a good fit.

"While it was scary, I think the overriding desire to help the community cancelled out that uncertainty.

"It was a concerning time but I wasn’t too frightened by it all."

As visiting restrictions eased, both Mary and Kendal decided that they wanted to continue to volunteer at the hospital.

Mary is now part of the hospital's Wayfinding team, and Kendal is working with the physios at the Larkfield Unit.

Kendal says she loves the one-to-one contact she has with the patients, and that learning about people's lives has been a 'wonderful thing to experience'.

She added: "I cannot speak highly enough of the staff at Inverclyde Royal.

"Everyone has been able to keep going during the toughest of times.

"My whole volunteering experience has been a privilege and I feel so lucky to have been able to help."

Mary added: "I've gained a real insight into the challenges of a pandemic faced by hospital staff and the compassion displayed."

Harry Balch, who is the volunteer manager for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde thanked Mary and Kendal for their commitment to the community.

He added: "Since the start of the pandemic they have been amazing, working across various teams and bringing enthusiasm, compassion and care to everything they have done.

"Both Inverclyde Royal and the wider community are lucky to have such dedicated individuals volunteering with us."