LONG-SERVING Ealing Samaritans volunteer Anna Milford has been presented with a Team London Volunteering Award by actor Barbara Windsor at City Hall.

Anna, a listening volunteer for 41 years, attended with Ealing's branch director, Ann McLaughlin, and her daughter Lauren.

She originally joined Samaritans as a volunteer in 1976 after she helped a close friend who had made a suicide attempt. “People seem to confide in me,” she said.

As well as her listening shifts, Anna has also taken part in branch outreach activities, including providing support for victims of the London Bridge attack this year.

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“I love my listening shifts. They are so rewarding. The amount of callers who say ‘thank you for listening to me’ and you know they really mean it,” Anna said.

“Ealing is a magnificent branch. It has so many committed volunteers. I do the rota and they are really good at covering shifts if it is needed.”

Ealing director Ann McLaughlin said: “Anna has given absolutely superb support to the branch – and to me as director.”

The Team London awards are for people who have made outstanding contributions to their communities as volunteers.