Age Concern Wiltshire has paid tribute to people in the county who have rallied round to offer help to older people during the cold weather.

Alan Truscott from Age Concern Wiltshire was one of the few people who were able to walk to work on Wednesday.

He said: “We took 42 calls that day, and many of these were from members of the public who were willing to be contacted if an older person was in difficulties.

“Two of our volunteers walked from Hopton Industrial Estate to help answer phones. Everyone has been just amazing.”

Mr Truscott reports that so far there has been nothing worse than an inquiry about a burst pipe to deal with, but with the cold weather expected to continue, staff and volunteers at Age Concern Wiltshire will make every effort to find appropriate help for any older person who contacts them.

It is not just in times of crisis that people are generous about helping others. Age Concern Wiltshire has more than 180 volunteers who regularly give their time to older people in need of a bit of help.

Marianne Dowding is a volunteer befriender, visiting an older person regularly, and is also training as a volunteer adviser, helping people on a range of issues, from claiming welfare benefits to getting repairs done to their home.

Diana Lee has been volunteering each week since 2005 and has done various things in that time, from complex administrative work to arranging Age Concern Insurance.

She has recently joined the team of volunteer presenters who give talks to groups about older people’s issues.

Hilary Hayter answers the phone in the office on two days a week and is also the receptionist at the fortnightly toenail-cutting clinic in Trowbridge.

Steve Funnell joins the IT club each Friday to help those learning to use new technology.

Liddy Davidson, the director of Age Concern Wiltshire, said: “Older people are very fortunate that there are so many people willing to offer help and we value all our volunteers, no matter what they can offer.”

If you would like to help out phone (01380) 727767.