Worksop: Guardian Rose for ‘trolley dolly’ Betty

She is fondly known as the ‘trolley dolly,’ volunteering her time to take sweets and toiletries to all the residents at Westwood Residential Home.

She arrives at the home every Thursday come rain or shine, often on her bicycle, despite looking after her poorly husband at home.

The staff and residents wanted to say thank you to the 77-year-old for her kindness and dedication and felt the Guardian Rose was the perfect way of saying it.

They recently gathered for a special presentation in the cafe at the residential home on Talbot Road, where they surprised Betty with our rose.

Presenting the rose, resident Ronald Crookes said: “Betty for those of you that don’t know, travels these corridors with her little trolley knocking on each door and asking to sell them something.”

“She’s the sweet lady, the dolly with the trolley.”

“The award which you are about to receive has gone to various people, including nurses and charity volunteers.”

“You are the new Guardian Rose this week Betty. This is our way of saying thank you.”

Betty was overwhelmed to receive the rose, suspecting a surprise was in store when she was interrupted on her weekly round.

She said she first got into volunteering when she used to visit her mother-in-law in the home.

“I used to call in and ask if anyone wanted any shopping and it went from there. I never stopped doing it,” she said.

“I can only come in one day a week now, because I look after my husband who isn’t well.”

“They call me the trolley dolly. If I miss a week then they are really disappointed.”

Manager Melanie Ward said: “We like to say a big thank you to Betty.”

“She comes rain or shine every Thursday.

“What she does is really appreciated by the residents.”