LONG-SERVING volunteers were honoured by Jewish Care at an awards ceremony.

More than 200 people attended the tea party at Sinclair House Community Centre in Woodford Bridge Road last Sunday to mark the enormous contribution of Jewish Care's volunteers in the Redbridge area.

Among those honoured was Helen Saunders who has been described as an "invaluable" member of Sinclair House's volunteer team.

A Jewish Care spokeswoman said: "Helen can be found in the kitchen, supplying the members with tea and biscuits, always with a smile, and has been a volunteer driver.

"Her devotion to her work has always been outstanding. Recently she has been waiting for hospital treatment but still insisted on coming to work between visits."

Ms Saunders said: "I was absolutely stunned to receive the award, but was very pleased.

"I wanted to volunteer because I wanted to help others, and I still enjoy it."

Also honoured was Sinclair House's cook Connie Kolander, who delivers Meals-on-Wheels regularly and helps at numerous events at the centre.

Other volunteers praised were people from the home visiting team and the Meals-on-Wheels service, Vi and John Rubens House, the Dennis Centre for people with Alzheimer's disease and the Mitkadem Centre for people with mental health problems.

Jewish Care chief executive Jeremy Oppenheim told the volunteers: "Jewish Care has 2,500 volunteers across the organisation. We are massively dependent on you. You are important not only to Jewish Care but to the community as a whole.

"We have a staff of 1,600 people, a tremendously dedicated staff, not all of whom are Jewish. What volunteers add is a special feeling that matters so much."