Volunteers are being sought at Tauranga Hospital as New Zealand marks National Volunteers Week.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board chief operating officer Pete Chandler said volunteers were special people.
"To give of your time, energy, enthusiasm and skills freely as you do is something which the Board, executive team, staff and community appreciate greatly," he said at a thanksgiving celebration for current volunteers yesterday.
He said volunteers were representatives of the community which the District Health Board felt such a sense of responsibility towards and added greatly to the character and flavour of the hospital.
The event doubled as an opportunity for others who were interested in becoming volunteers to find out more. BOPDHB Volunteer Coordinator Lesley Grant said more volunteers were being sought.