NORTHWICH resident and longest-serving Barnardo’s volunteer in the north west, Eirlys Brown, has been honoured for her 64 years of unerring support for the charity.

Eirlys, now 91, is from Sandiway and lives in an apartment at Daneside Court residential home in Northwich.

She continues to keep up fundraising activities such as selling Barnardo’s Christmas cards every year and collecting donations in her Barnardo’s box.

The Cuddington and Sandiway chapter, for which Eirlys is the longest serving member, has 10 members and has been running for more than 65 years. The group organises community events to help vulnerable children in the area, such as afternoon teas and bridge competitions.

During the last financial year, the efforts of the Cuddington and Sandiway Barnardo’s Helper Group raised more than £6,200 for the children’s charity, with more than £112,000 raised in total since Barnardo’s began keeping computer records.

Eirlys has been a big part of the success of the Helper Group.

Jane Harries, Barnardo’s community fundraising manager, said: “It’s amazing to think that Eirlys and this group of volunteers in Cuddington and Sandiway have worked so hard and so selflessly for so many years on behalf of Barnardo’s.

“The years of dedication they have provided are staggering, and the money they’ve raised has made a real difference to the lives of countless children, young people and families.”

Eirlys can recall her first invite to the group in 1953, and further to that her recognition along with the rest of the group by Barnardo’s former president Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1986.

Eirlys said of her time with the charity: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and have loved being involved with such a lovely group, who have all become such good friends over the years, raising money together for such a worthy cause.”