Mrs Pugh made the call to send her mother to Mount Esk nursing home in 2012 and decided she’d volunteer some time to make sure she could be with her mum.

“I cared for my mum in my home for about 10 years and it killed me but we had to make the decision to put her in a nursing home,” Mrs Pugh said.

Fast-forward to 2017 and its Charmaine who has never left the nursing home, with Launceston woman volunteering her time to be with residents.

“It’s just like having an extra-large family, I just love it there,” she said.

But it’s not just Mrs Pugh who spends time at the nursing home, her husband also helps out during the summer and their dog has also trained to be a therapy dog.

Mrs Pugh was one of a number of people from Launceston who were recognised at the City of Launceston Volunteer Recognition awards on Tuesday.

Mrs Pugh was not thinking about volunteering until her mum was sent to the nursing home but said it was so rewarding she would encourage everyone to consider volunteering in the aged care sector.

Mount Esk nursing home manager Rebecca Eiszele nominated Ms Pugh for the award.

She said having Mrs Pugh’s extra pair of hands was invaluable for the facility.

“She’s just so awesome and we can’t get enough of her,” she said.

Ms Eiszele said Mrs Pugh would spend three or four days a week and up to eight hours a day at Mount Esk.

The City of Launceston Volunteer Recognition awards are an annual event held during National Volunteer Week. Volunteer Week is held from May 8-14.