THEY lived through the Second World War, had children and most have become great-grandmothers but nothing stops this trio of 90-somethings from volunteering.

Pat McCumiskey, Patricia Gorringe, both aged 91, and Betty Marchment, aged 90, are all prime examples of why age is just a number when it comes to giving back to the community.

The three women have been volunteering at Neighbourcare, in Andover, for decades and have no plans of stopping anytime soon.

Pat started helping out six mornings a week 24 years ago working on the transport desk, and still is turning up for duty four days at the Union Street base, with the thanks of manager Pam Delderfield.

Speaking about why she started out, she said: “Somebody that worked here advised me to come here because my husband had died and advised me to come down to talk to Pam, and then they couldn’t get rid of me.”

And for Patricia, like Pat and Betty, her volunteering years began following the death of her husband Ronald in 2000.

The volunteer for 16 years said: “I retired and I needed something to do,” adding: “I am on my own at home, I can get out and meet people, if I didn’t volunteer I would be at home not seeing or talking to anyone.

“Volunteering is the best thing you can do.”

Patricia has used her skills in office work to help the office run like clockwork, taking calls from customers and inputting journeys on the charity’s record.

But for Betty, Neighbourcare was not her first volunteering role as she previously took up a post in Oxfam, in Junction Road, for eight years before it closed down.

She now works in the charity’s clothes shop on Friday mornings, saying yes to pretty much any job from sorting out the clothes rails to being on the till.

“It is Pam’s fault I am here; I wasn’t going to volunteer but she caught me in the doorway and said ‘will you go and get a form’,” said Betty who has been helping out at Neighbourcare for 17 years.

Speaking about what she loves, she said: “It is about meeting people and talking to somebody.”

But it is not just the volunteering that the trio love, it is about the ‘family’ they have gained in the process, with all agreeing that the rest of the volunteers look out for them.

Manager Pam said: “I am just very proud that they are still here, working and they do a really good job without the volunteers there would be no service here as we get no funding.”

Neighbourcare are looking for more volunteers, particularly drivers, to help its much-needed service.

To get involved, call 01264 339899.