A WEST Devon volunteer has been presented with a prestigious award for her many years of work with international aid charity Operation Sunshine South West.

Felicity Derry-Thomas, former organiser of Operation Sunshine and now trustee and special advisor, was presented with the Margarette Golding Award for Highly Commendable Personal Service.

The award was conferred by Inner Wheel International for her 'selfless hard work for many years in helping those in need, with dedication and drive, perseverance and inspirational commitment' at the annual conference of the Inner Wheel at the Plymouth Pavilions.

Felicity has been involved with the charity from almost the start — nearly 34 years.

She led Operation Sunshine South West for 12 years, stepping down as organiser in 2010, but she remains a dedicated volunteer at the charity's base at Hurdwick Farm, as well as serving as a trustee.

Felicity said the award came as a complete surprise: 'Everybody seemed to know and I didn't!

'Like all these awards it's very much an award for everyone, all the volunteers — and there have been thousands over the years — everyone deserves a bit of it.'

The charity sends all sorts of second hand goods in containers to those in real need in various locations in Africa.

Felicity has been out to visit some areas where they receive goods from Operation Sunshine.

She said it was a shock to see the poverty: 'I've been out there a few times over the years and have seen how appreciated all the containers are.

'I saw for myself how poor the people really are.

'There are hundreds of thousands of orphans whose parents have died through diseases — we have to do something to help.'

Felicity said Operation Sunshine South West was very much a Christian charity and it got lots of support from local churches and organisations such as the Inner Wheel and Mothers' Union.

'We wouldn't be able to do what we do without the support of the churches and local groups,' she said.