THE search is on for St Helens' longest-serving volunteer ahead of an awards ceremony to take place at the town hall.

St Helens Citizens Advice is organising the event with Halton and St Helens VCA to celebrate the great work volunteers do across the borough.

Taking place in St Helens town hall on Tuesday, June 4 during Volunteers' Week, this will thank people for the great work they do and precious time they give up to help others.

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Between 10 and 11am, volunteers will be publicly thanked and a presentation is to be made to the longest-serving volunteer within the borough.

Meanwhile, from 11an to 2pm, the event will be open to the general public who are invited to attend and will be able to speak with organisations and their current volunteers and find out how to go about getting involved and the benefits of doing so.

St Helens Star:

The event will take place at St Helens town hall Pic: Robbob

St Helens Citizens Advice said: "We know that there are many long serving volunteers doing fabulous work within the town and we want to find the longest serving volunteer.

"It may not be that the longest serving volunteer comes from a large organisation. It may be the helper in a local sports team, or brownie group. Help us find those unsung heroes."

Karl Pearce, chief executive at Citizens Advice St Helens, said: “Our volunteers make a huge difference to people’s lives. They give up their free time to help people in their local community, who may be going through problems, to get back on their feet. Volunteering is for everybody and it brings its own rewards. It is a great way to meet people and learn skills.”

St Helens Star:

Citizens Advice St Helens is based at the Millennium Centre Pic: Robbob

Sally Yeoman, chief officer, Halton and St Helens VCA, added: “Volunteers are essential to many of the things that make St Helens a great place to live and work.

"People giving up their time freely to help others is happening all across our wonderful borough. Last year, more than 14,400 people volunteered their time, with over 43,000 hours given to local groups and causes.

"This is worth £22.5m to the local economy each year. That’s why we want to say 'thank you', especially during Volunteers' Week and are pleased to be working with Citizens Advice St Helens to recognise the contribution of all local volunteers during this week”

The event will also help to celebrate Citizens Advice's 80th birthday, which is being celebrated nationally.

Although St Helens already had an advice agency in place for five years before being named as Citizens Advice, the branch will still celebrate by joining in events.