Snooker legend and Rainbows Patron Willie Thorne is helping lead the quest to recruit more volunteers for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.

And Rainbows is especially looking for more men after figures revealed that only 26 percent of its volunteer base was male.

The East Midlands hospice, which cares for children and young people with terminal and life limiting illnesses from Nottinghamshire, currently has 373 volunteers, of which 277 are female and only 96 are men.

Willie said: “Rainbows does a tremendous job for a great many children with very dedicated staff and volunteers and I am very proud to be a Patron for this very worthy charity. I know they rely heavily on volunteers to help carry out their wonderful work so I hope that people feel encouraged to give some of their time and support Rainbows.”

Volunteers are invaluable to the running of Rainbows and over the last 10 years, they have given valuable hours of time, saving almost £500,000.

Paul Holden, volunteer co-ordinator at Rainbows, said: “It would be great to see more men getting on board and supporting us in whatever way they can. Of course, this doesn’t mean we don’t want the ladies also, they are always welcome!”

Rainbows always needs people to lend some time to gardening, housekeeping and volunteering in the kitchen as well as assisting in the shops and also helping out at fundraising events.

To get involved, contact Paul Holden on 01509 638059, email [email protected] or visit www.rainbows.co.uk/volunteer