Volunteer is honoured

8:20am Tuesday 8th July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A VOLUNTEER who has helped residents of the Barry and district area through the Civil Service Benevolent Fund was honoured in a special ceremony last week.

Grace Williams, 73, of Rhoose, was awarded with life membership of the fund - its highest honour - for her 38 years of service.

The fund helps civil servants in times of crisis, and Grace joined as a volunteer at the same time that she started working for them - and has volunteered with them ever since.

"I just think it is such a good idea to have a pool for people to pay into that they can turn to in real times of hardships." She said: "There are examples of people being helped while in flooding, or through separations etc. I have seen the fund do fabulous things."

Grace has worked as a volunteer visiting officer where she assessed people's needs for the support provided by the fund - be it emotional, advisory or financial.

Grace was awarded with a glass decanter and dress pins to mark her life membership in a prestigious awards ceremony in Belfast.

She said: "I am delighted - it is really an honour and I have really enjoyed my work with the fund."

The fund is currently recruiting volunteers - for more information visit www.csbf.org.uk