By Anna Edwards

anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk

Most people would be happy to put their feet up when they retire - but not Gladys Jenkins, who at 89 has been tirelessly carrying out voluntary work for the past 25 years.

The dedicated pensioner has clocked up more than 7,000 hours behind the till of the MIND charity shop, in Addington Road, Selsdon.

Sadly she has just had to give up the beloved post for health reasons.

But she was not allowed to leave quietly, and colleagues threw a huge party for her to say thank you for her years of help.

The grandmother began her charitable work at the age of 64, two years after she retired from her civil servant post.

She said: "I came up here with some clothes from my daughter and I liked the look of the place, everyone seemed very friendly and helpful.

"I saw there was a vacancy and asked if I could work there, and they said yes please and they put me behind the till.

"It's become my second home, I'm so upset to be leaving here, it's such a wonderful place to work in. I've made a lot of friends and have a lot of brilliant memories."

The mother-of-two says she could never have had a quiet retirement and would still be helping out if she could.

She said: "I do really like to work, it makes your brain stick for longer.

"I could not have just sat there after I retired, I'd have been too bored. This place has been my life."

Her favourite part of the job has been talking to customers and colleagues alike.

She added: "We get so many young people volunteering. I always get on well with them, and obviously it's always nice to have a strong young man to talk to!

"You do get some lovely things that come through here, I've bought plenty of coats and jackets, the people in Selsdon are very generous."

The manager of the shop, Victoria Higgins, says everyone will miss the committed volunteer.

She said: "She has a real cheeky sense of humour, and knows the shop like the back of her hand, she's a stalwart here.

"The regulars absolutely love her, it's such a shame she's leaving us."

Mrs Jenkins, who volunteered twice a week, is still hoping her health might improve enough for her to return.

She said: "I never thought I would last 25 years, I don't know many others who have lasted this long.

"I will miss it so much, I cannot tell you how sad I am to say goodbye to everyone.

"But who knows, one day I might be back."