A D-DAY veteran who still volunteers to sit and talk to hospital patients in Newport at the age of 89 was surprised with a birthday party on Monday.

Charlie Barber arrived at St Woolos Hospital ahead of his usual volunteering shift to find dozens of colleagues waiting to sing ‘Happy birthday’ and present him with a cake, ahead of his 90th birthday on Saturday.

Mr Barber is a volunteer with the Robins, set up by Age Cymru, to help tackle the widespread problems of malnutrition and dehydration, as well as isolation, among older and long-term patients on hospital wards.

One of the original five Robins volunteers, Mr Barber is now part of a 60-strong team who give their time to help feed, talk to and be company for patients at eight wards throughout St Woolos and the Royal Gwent Hospital, work which nurses and other medical staff don’t always have time to do.

The former Argus paperboy was described as “an inspiration” by fellow volunteer Sophie Wilson, 23, who plans to train as a doctor.

“Patients look up to him,” she said. “He doesn’t look 90. You can be a volunteer at any age, you’re never too old to help.”

When asked why he joined the Robins Mr Barber said: “The same as most, it was something to do instead of sitting in that place all day and talking to myself, getting stupid answers.

“I enjoy it very much, I’ve been doing it for eight years now.”

The surviving sibling of five brothers and sisters, in 1939 Mr Barber jumped on his bicycle to deliver the Argus around Newport when a Mr Dibdin was in charge.

“I earned enough to go to the penny pictures and give my mother half a crown,” he said.

On December 17, 1942, Mr Barber joined the Army when he was 18.

Speaking of his time serving in the artillery, during which his hearing was permanently damaged, Mr Barber said: “It never leaves your mind, what you’ve done, if I had a mind to start with.”

Manager of the Robins, Dave Liles described Mr Barber as a “very jolly character” and said the work the volunteers do helps patients to recover.

Wayne Meade, 62, from Caerphilly, said his volunteering partner, who was involved with D-Day, was a “gentleman” and “an asset”, while Penny Stock, trustee at Age Cymru said Mr Barber was a lovely man who was warm-hearted.

Fellow volunteer Glyndwr Thomas, 70, who travels from Caldicot to volunteer at the hospital, said like Mr Barber he volunteers to get out of the house and to feel better about himself.

Christine Tucker, volunteer coordinator for the Robins, said Mr Barber had told her he wants a new mobile phone and has just taken a computer course.

“Some of our volunteers come in on Christmas Day,” she said. “We’re always looking for more volunteers and people can make donations through Age Cymru addressed to the Robins.”

The service has been shortlisted for a nursing award.