WOMEN who have dedicated every spare moment to protecting children at risk in Swindon over the years were among those recognised nationally as NSPCC Volunteer Heroes this week.

Members of the local branch’s fundraising committee were singled out for their incredible efforts which saw them collect £22,000 for the charity in the last year.

Since they came together five years ago, the volunteers have raised £100,000 through a wide range of activities and events.

Group treasurer Marilyn Kempshall looked back on the years spent raising awareness of the charity’s work and the committee’s many successes.

“We’ve been together as a group for about five years as a result of the 110 Appeal in Swindon which celebrated the fact that there has been an NSPCC presence in Swindon for 110 years,” she said.

“We always want to have fun in whatever we do and all get on very well and have become friends and this is very important. We like to organise events that we would like to go to ourselves so we do wine tastings and quizzes and have just trialled a really successful afternoon tea for the first time.”

“We have learnt new skills and had some fun opportunities such as through our Green Gear event which we started. We have been able to do assemblies to secondary schools which has been really great as we are telling kids about Childline – another NSPCC service.

“Our families always support us and help with our fundraising – they are heroes too.”

The committee was inspired to boost fundraising efforts after respected member and true inspiration Sue Hooper, who was awarded a Pride of Swindon Award for supporting NSPCC for 25 years, passed away two years ago.

Caroline Morgan, community fundraising manager for Swindon, said the committee had played a major role in allowing the charity to assist vulnerable children.

She said: “All of our volunteers really are heroes to us and more importantly to the children that we work to protect, and so we wanted to celebrate the fantastic things that they do to make our work with vulnerable children possible.”