AS THE Queen marks 60 years on the throne, two Wantage pensioners are looking back on 63 years volunteering for the British Red Cross.

Great-grandmothers Dorothy Halliday, 88, and Evelyn Dance, 87, both joined the Wantage branch of the charity in 1949.

In recognition of their service, the friends have been awarded the charity’s Badge of Honour for Devoted Service.

Over the years they have worked in a variety of roles – from emergency response to running holiday breaks for disabled elderly people.

Now in their 80s they help out at fundraising events including weekly coffee mornings in the Wantage Red Cross hall.

Mrs Dance, from Newbury Street, Wantage, joined the charity as her brother was an ambulance driver with it.

She said: “He ran an ambulance service which responded to emergencies in the local area. That’s how I met Dorothy. We volunteered together on night shifts and would be on call from 6pm until 6am.

“It’s been my one and only interest. I don’t do anything else.”

Mrs Halliday, of Ham Field, said: “It was a great responsibility in those days because hospitals could not respond to all the incidents in rural areas, but we enjoyed the work very much and it was great to make friends while helping others.

“Looking back you wonder those years have gone? But it certainly is a well worth charity.”

The pair helped raise cash for the town’s Red Cross centre in Wallingford Street which opened in 1972.

And in 1978 Mrs Halliday was made an MBE by the Queen for her work, after being nominated by Mrs Dance.

She said: “When I found out I was receiving the award I was very proud, but I wanted the other volunteers from Wantage to know that the MBE was their award, too.”

The friends are now encouraging more people to become volunteers.

Mrs Dance said: “Unfortunately I am not able to do as much as I once could.

“I volunteered just for the love of it, and got so much out of it.”

Julie Weston, senior service manager in Thames Valley, added: “The more volunteers like Evelyn and Dorothy we have, the more local people we can help.”

To volunteer, call Tracey Butterworth on 01865 760555.