BREAM fundraising volunteer Margaret Miles, who has been leading the West Dean local committee for Cancer Research UK since 1962, has retired from her post.

Aged 90, Miles decided that she would retire from being chair of the committee after more than 49 years.

Maria Parker, Cancer Research UK's area volunteer manager, praised Mrs Miles' contribution at a celebratory lunch held at Speech House.

She said: "Margaret Miles has shown unflinching loyalty and dedication to the cause, since taking over from her father who was a founder member in 1952 of what was then the British Empire Cancer Campaign."

Presenting Margaret with a certificate signed by Cancer Research UK's chief executive Harpul Kumar and a special badge, Maria added: "Margaret has been involved with all kinds of fundraising, including an annual House to House collection in Bream which regularly raises over £2,000, selling thousands of raffle tickets and often raising plants in her own garden to sell on behalf of the charity." 

Cancer Research UK recognised the long standing contribution Margaret Miles had made in 2008 when they awarded her a special accolade and named her an honorary fellow of the charity.

Her fellow fundraisers presented her with a special cake and a basket of flowers.

 Thanking the audience, she said that she had loved it all and having a purpose like this was what had kept her going!