MALMESBURY has one special volunteer that remains as dedicated as ever to supporting residents in the community, at the grand age of 95.

Marjorie Dunford is one of The Orders of St John Care Trust’s (OSJCT) most notable volunteers, and her work involves offering support to residents at Athelstan House care home.

At 95 years of age, Marjorie is also the oldest volunteer at the trust.

Every Sunday for the last eight years, Marjorie has helped with church services, setting up the books, stools and cushions for the service to make residents comfortable, and encouraging them to join in with the hymns.

She goes with residents in the lift as support if they are nervous, and is generally a vital, cheery part of life at the home.

Marjorie’s dedication was previously recognised when she was made OSJCT volunteer of the year for Wiltshire in 2015.

She said: “I do as much as I can. Two or three years ago I went on my bike but got a flat tyre so I went on a bus, took the wheel from the bike and went to the shop to get it fixed.”

It was Marjorie’s active lifestyle and her interest in cycling that first saw her begin volunteering at Athelstan House, when a layman saw her pushing her bike because the tyres were flat.

When she found out that the man visited Athelstan House, she decided to join him and has been volunteering there ever since.

Marjorie said: “When I first started we had no labels.

“Some one came and asked if I could be let out and thought I was a resident!

“So we got badges.

“In eight years I have only missed two Sunday services and one was because of the snow.

“I look forward to it every week.

“I do as much as I can, nothing can beat independence.”

A spokesperson from OSJCT paid tribute to Marjorie’s contribution: “At The Orders of St John Care Trust we are very lucky to have an incredible team who enhance our residents’ lives, including many amazing volunteers.”

“From all of us at the trust, we are sending a very big thank you to Marjorie for her inspiring service.”