SAVE the Children in Wales has honoured individuals, branches and companies at a special Volunteer Service Awards evening held in Coed y Mwstwr Hotel in Bridgend.

Caroline Williams from Tenby was awarded 'The Outstanding Contribution of the Year 2014 Award'.

Save the Children is a charity very close to Caroline's heart and she has been a member of the Women in Wales Committee for many years which organises a luncheon in Cardiff that raises thousands of pounds for the charity every year. She also established the Penarth Save the Children branch in 2005 in response to the Indian Ocean Tsumani.

This branch has raised nearly £50,000 and Caroline hopes the new Tenby Save the Children branch, which she founded last year, will follow their lead. Caroline has also visited Cambodia to see the work of Save the Children first hand and has been giving talks to help raise vital funds and awareness ever since.

Caroline Williams said: "Receiving this award is very special to me as Save the Children has done a lot for me too. This charity is very close to my heart and I will continue to work hard to raise money for the excellent work done globally and also here in Wales."

The awards ceremony was also an opportunity to say 'thank you' to a number of other individuals and local branches who have over 600 years of collective service for Save the Children between them.

Mary Powell-Chandler, head of Save the Children in Wales, who handed out the awards at the ceremony, said: "We wanted to be able to show our gratitude and appreciation of all these amazing supporters who have worked tirelessly on our behalf over the years.

"It's difficult to comprehend why so many children die needlessly every year from preventable causes such as diarrhoea and malnutrition. It's also a great concern that children here in Wales are living in poverty which can affect their life-chances to achieve their full potential. Our supporters are the heartbeat of our work, globally and on our doorstep. We couldn't do it without you. Thank you."

If you are interested in supporting Save the Children by giving talks, campaigning or fundraising for children living in poverty in Wales and overseas, please contact Ruth John on [email protected]">[email protected] or call 02920803 260.