Maidstone Hospital volunteer, Mike Williams has been selected as a BBC awards finalist in recognition of his incredible 44-year volunteering career.

Mike started his volunteering journey with Maidstone Lions, and for nine years he was a volunteer driver, delivering supplies for a local foodbank. He also volunteers as a river warden, picking up litter and reporting on invasive species.

He also finds the time to fundraise for other local charities, supports local theatre groups, and is particularly proud of forming a litter picking group in Wateringbury, his local village, which won a Kent Community Shield.

It’s no surprise then that Mike has been recognised for his incredible commitment by being shortlisted in the Volunteer category at the BBC Radio Kent Make a Difference Awards.

Mike has been a League of Friends volunteer at Maidstone Hospital for 30 years; he spent 28 years going around the wards selling stock from the League of Friends trolley, and most recently has worked in the Friends’ second-hand bookshop. In the last five years, he says, the League of Friends have raised over £600,000, testament to the work of the many volunteers who give their time and talent to support their local hospital.

In an interview with BBC Radio Kent, Mike describes the “buzz” he gets from volunteering, saying it “feels wonderful” to be nominated for the award.

When asked why he invests so much time in volunteering, Mike says: “Volunteering is wonderful. It gets people out of the house and helps their brain and physical abilities. It’s also been proven that volunteers live longer!”

From his early years, growing up in London, Mike says he’s always had a social conscience, and has always wanted to help people less fortunate.

Maidstone Hospital League of Friends Chair, Gareth Owen, said: “we were delighted to learn that Mike has been shortlisted for this award. From fundraising to ward trolleys, and from the bookshop to our tea bar, our volunteers give hundreds of hours of their time each month, and make such a difference to our local hospital. We look forward to the announcement of the award winner in September!”

Anne-Marie Stevens-Swain, the Trust’s Voluntary Services Manager, added: “We have over 250 volunteers and they make a real difference to our patients and staff. They’re a vital part of our day-to-day work across all our hospitals, and we are delighted that Mike’s extraordinary contribution to the Maidstone Hospital League of Friends has been recognised by the BBC Make a Difference awards.”

Listen to Mike’s interview on BBC Sounds.