A VOLUNTEER who has been tending to strains, sprains and pains in Oxfordshire for more than 50 years has said she will continue for as long as she can.

Hazel Punter, who lives in Banbury, has volunteered for St John Ambulance Service for 52 years and was presented with a gilt Laurel Leaf on July 10 to honour her services.

The 68-year-old started volunteering for the cadets aged ten when she lived in Surrey, because her father was involved in volunteering.

Mrs Punter said: “I started volunteering for St John when I was ten, but I actually volunteered for Red Cross when I was seven.

“I went on to become a professional nurse, got married and moved to Oxfordshire where I have been ever since. I feel quite proud. I have been there all my life which is an achievement.

“I’m still volunteering, I was on duty the other day and I’m going to continue.”

Mrs Punter trained to become a nurse in Canterbury, Kent, before meeting husband John and moving near Bicester in 1969.

She was in the St John Ambulance service for Bicester for two-and-a-half years, before she joined the Banbury unit, where she has served for 43 years.

And while volunteering, she also worked as a district nurse covering most of North Oxfordshire.

Mrs Punter added: “ It gives something back to the community. The time has gone so quickly.”

Mrs Punter also used to provide first aid at Gatwick airport when she lived in Surrey and said she could remember it being a lot smaller than it is now.

The grandmother added she has met lots of different people that she would not have ordinarily have done.

Unit manager of Banbury St John Mike Hickman said: “She is one of those people where I can pick up the phone at the last minute and she will go out for me.

“She is a godsend. I’m so proud of her.

“She is such an example to others.”

The only other person in the county to receive one of the gilt awards this year is Alan Walton, 77, from Kidlington.