During the opening of the new Port Talbot seafarers centre last month, 80 year old Beryl Leyshon was presented with an award in recognition for her long-standing volunteering work.
Beryl has been volunteering at The Mission to Seafarers centre in Port Talbot for 63 years.
Beryl explains:
“I started volunteering at the centre in my early teens. We did kitchen work when the seamen were in, serving them food and drinks.
When I was got married I carried on volunteering and I’d bring my baby with me. I’m still volunteering now! It’s such as surprise to receive this award; it’s wonderful.
The new centre will make a tremendous difference to seafarers. They travel such a long way and are living in a small space and then arrive in a foreign country. They come to The Mission and see Alwyn, the centre manager, behind the counter and see a friendly face.”
