Miriam Hewlett has clocked up 24 years as a volunteer later this year and is still going strong.

The 84-year-old is Hillingdon Hospital’s longest serving volunteer and says she has no plans to slow down soon.

“I love working at the hospital," Mrs Hewlett said. "It’s like an extended family and I know lots of people.

"It gets me out of the house and I will carry on doing it for as long as I can,” she said.

The mother of two has held various positions within the hospital and currently collects and distributes food for patients.

And she certainly knows how to spoil them, admitting that she even cuts the crusts off sandwiches for people with stomach related conditions.

More than 400 volunteers work across the Hillingdon and Mount Vernon hospital sites including in administration, reception and meal distribution roles.

Many of the volunteers belong to third party organisations like Mount Vernon Comforts Fund, League of Friends, Hospital Radio Hillingdon and Hospital Radio Mount Vernon.

Chief Executive Shane DeGaris said: “Our volunteers are the unsung heroes of the NHS. They don’t get paid and give up their own time to come in and help people. They are a real credit and help keep us going.

“I take my hat off to Miriam. I only hope I have that much energy when I’m an octogenarian.”