A long-serving volunteer at a London-based hospital celebrated her 104th birthday alongside colleagues after giving more than two decades of service.
Beryl Carr marked the occasion by joining colleagues and regulars at the Friend’s Cafe in Ealing Hospital, where her heroic efforts have become a staple.
Her truly remarkable work was recognised last year by Guinness World Records, in which she was named the world’s oldest female volunteer.
During the Second World War she was bombed out of her home in the Blitz while also contributing to the war effort by sewing barrage balloons and working as a fire watcher.
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Speaking to Ealing News, she recalled one night during the bombing, saying: “We spent a lot of time in the bomb shelter in our back garden and one of the nights we chanced sleeping inside it there was an air raid and the house was hit.
“I ended up under a cupboard covered in plaster.”
Ms Carr became passionate about volunteering work in her later life, saying it “gave me a new lease of life and it is something I would recommend to anyone, regardless of age”.
Ann Cousins, who runs the cafe, said: “Beryl is a bit of an institution in the hospital. Everyone knows who she is and loves chatting with her.”
Beryl Carr has been helping out at the cafe for over two decades
|London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Ms Carr helps out one day a week as a cashier, but she also loves making sandwiches.
Her long-running commitment to the cafe began in 2003 as an 81-year-old, mucking in to help prepare meals and operate the till.
Born in Acton, west London in 1922, Beryl grew up with her two brothers and sister in Ealing, before eventually moving to Cambridgeshire with her husband.
She then moved back to Ealing to be close to her daughter Val after the death of her husband.
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Ms Carr has been a huge support to the hospital over the years
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Moving back to her roots prompted her desire to volunteer, telling MyLondon in 2022: “I was alone.
“I didn’t know anyone and my daughter said I should try volunteering. I came for the interview, said I would do whatever they needed, and I have been here ever since.
“I would recommend it to anyone.”
She added: “I’ve made a fair few sandwiches in my time but I really enjoy the social side of it. I can’t think of anything worse than being stuck in front of the TV all day.
“The great thing about volunteering is that you are helping other people but in a funny way you are helping yourself as well.”
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