A DEDICATED volunteer has celebrated 50 years as an adult leader within the girl guide movement.

Members of Tavy Division congratulated Kate Harding at Tavistock's Guide Hall as she received her 50 year diamond and silver badge.

Kate began helping at a Brownie unit in Yorkshire in 1964 and remained a member of girlguiding when work and marriage brought her to Tavistock, running both a brownie and guide unit in the town.

Rica Olver, of Tavy Girlguiding, said: 'Kate's dedication and hard work has rewarded many local girls and women with valuable experiences and achievements to take forward into adult life.'

A newly qualified leader, Susannah Batten-Reverley, also received a presentation on the same evening. Since qualifying as an adult rainbow leader in 2013, she has now earned her 'going away' scheme qualification, enabling her to take rainbows away overnight.

Rica congratulated Kate and Susannah for their dedicated service but appealed for more people to come forward who would like to volunteer.

'Like many voluntary organisations, Tavy Division has found it difficult in recent years to attract and retain adult leaders, resulting in the closure of one guide and two brownie units since the Girlguiding UK centenary in 2010,' said Rica.

'As long-standing leaders retire and few new leaders volunteer, the Tavistock area is potentially facing the closure of a number of units within the next few years.

'Unfortunately, the closure of just one unit has a knock-on effect, reducing the number of vacancies available for girls to move on through the sections.'

Girlguiding provides a 'safe, girl-only space' for girls and young women to learn life-skills and by volunteering in Tavistock and the surrounding villages, members work closely with girls and young women, offering them support and guidance at often crucial stages in their lives.

All kinds of people volunteer with girlguiding. If you are over 18 years old and fancy trying something new, and can volunteer an hour and a half each week during term-time, visit http://www.girlguiding.org.uk">www.girlguiding.org.uk to register your interest or contact Rica on 01822 612743.