FUNDRAISERS in Newquay who have volunteered for a combined 325 years have been commended for their long service.

The Newquay NSPCC fundraising committee’s 11 members were presented with certificates to celebrate their efforts.

The committee is one of scores across the country which provide much needed funding by holding events and fundraising activities to ensure the children’s charity can continue to protect children and keep them safe.

The Newquay committee includes Sue Wrigley, 80, who has been raising money for the NSPCC for more than 63 years.

Sue, who lives in Newquay, said she first got involved with the charity when she was asked as a teenager to help her aunt who volunteered for the charity in her hometown of Rochdale.

She then continued to raise money for the NSPCC and when she moved to Newquay in 1988 sought out the local fundraising committee to continue her support.

Sue said: “I had friends here and one of my best friends knew that I had always been interested and involved with the NSPCC and so she introduced me to the local committee when we moved here.

“I have always enjoyed being involved with the NSPCC and have made so many good friends. I can’t imagine not doing it.

“I didn’t even realise I had been involved for that long until we were asked to write down when we started. I am glad that I have been able to support the NSPCC for so long.”

The Newquay committee organises a number of fundraising events throughout the year including a Christmas tree display in the town’s Lighthouse Cinema, quiz nights and film nights. A recent singalong Sound of Music event is set to raise hundreds of pounds for the NSPCC.

Pat Harnett, 78, nominated leader of the committee, said that members were delighted to have their long service recognised.

She said: “We all have our own strengths which help us to organise events and raise money.

“We would love to have some more people getting involved – our youngest member is 60. We are a great friendship group and like to go out for a meal together as well as organising our events.”

Alison Armer, the community fundraising manager for the NSPCC in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be able to present these long service certificates to our fundraising committee in Newquay. 

“They are a fantastic group and we are so grateful for their efforts in raising money for the NSPCC.

“The NSPCC is reliant on fundraising from volunteers like the Newquay committee. 

“We would always be interested to hear from anyone who might like to get involved and become a volunteer.”