Cougars stars Jason Ramshaw and Matt Foster kicked rugby into touch to show their support for volunteers at Airedale Hospital.

The duo exchanged their rugby gear for cash tills as they served snacks to customers using the Women's Royal Voluntary Service shop in the foyer.

Project manageress June Pye jokes: "It makes a refreshing change for our customers to be served with their usual cuppa by two strapping rugby blokes.

"They've done a fantastic job and we might just get them to become volunteers by the end of the day."

The two players were on hand to highlight Volunteers Week, a national initiative designed to promote volunteering and show the positive effect it has for the local community.

The WRVS tea bar and shop has been open for 30 years and is run by a dedicated team of 58 volunteers who provide the welcome service for patients, staff and visitors.

Refurbished three years ago, the shop sells a range of drinks and snacks, as well as providing a trolley service around the hospital's wards for patients unable to visit the shop.

All profits made by the shop are donated back to the hospital to enhance patient care and provide new equipment like defibrillators.

This year it is gifting the hospital £20,000 towards new medical equipment.

Vera Longthorne, who co-manages the shop with June Pye, says: "We have a very happy and cheerful team and we get a lot of nice feedback from customers.

"We desperately need more volunteers for the trolley service and we would like to hear from anyone who is interested in joining us.

"A lot of people don't realise that we have men as well as women here and we would welcome any new male or female volunteers."

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact June Pye on 01535 632607 or Vera Longthorne on 01756 752952.

The shop is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm.

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