A 94-YEAR-OLD woman from Caerleon is among a number of NSPCC volunteers being recognised as Volunteer Heroes this week for their efforts to support the children’s charity.

Lilyan Lewis has been volunteering her time to support the NSPCC for more than 30 years, and currently chairs the Caerleon fundraising committee.

She is one of more than 10,000 people who undertake a wide range of activities on behalf of the charity across the UK.

Jo Leonard, NSPCC community fundraising manager for South East Wales, said: “Our volunteers really are heroes to us and more importantly to the children that we work to protect, and so we wanted to celebrate them and the fantastic things that they do to make our work with vulnerable children possible. As well as chairing the Caerleon committee, Lilyan is the oldest volunteer in the Gwent area and has given her time and efforts to the NSPCC for more than 30 years.”

Mrs Lewis said: “It is very exciting to be recognised but I couldn’t do any of my volunteering without my wonderful committee members, who are also my dear friends. I’m now 94 and am the oldest person on the committee. I don’t know if I will do any collecting this year but I will try. Anyone thinking of volunteering for the NSPCC would certainly be welcome. It is a great way of socialising and making friends as well as knowing you are doing some good.

“There are so many awful things happening in the world but it shows there are also so many wonderful people, like my committee members, who want to make a difference. Anyone who would like to get involved would be welcomed with open arms.”

The NSPCC want to start a new group in Newport city centre – it could be a group of friends of any age who enjoy getting together socially and fancy doing something to help local children while having fun and raising funds

ChildLine, a service provided by the NSPCC, is also appealing for more local people to come forward and volunteer for the Schools Service which aims to help younger children’s understanding of abuse and how they can stay safe. By using assemblies and workshops delivered by trained volunteers ChildLine helps children recognise situations where they may need help and tells them how to access support, and all sessions are sensitively tailored to ensure topics are covered in a way which is age appropriate. To find out more about NSPCC volunteering opportunities locally, visit nspcc.org.uk/volunteer or call 0203 188 3658.