AN Edington woman is urging more people to take on voluntary work and make a difference in their community.

Shona Rattley, 36, of Salisbury Hollow, is team leader for the emergency services section of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service in west Wiltshire and described her role as "rewarding" and "worthwhile".

Mrs Rattley, who also has a full-time job as a senior administration assistant at Wiltshire County Council, has pointed to declining numbers in the organisation and believes new blood is needed if the WRVS are to continue the good job they are doing.

The WRVS is one of the UK's largest voluntary organisations that provide a range of services from Meals on Wheels, hospital catering and retail services and lunch clubs.

It also has a national

network of emergency services volunteers providing a

rapid response team on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mrs Rattley said: "There is no doubt that within the west Wiltshire area numbers are dwindling and if this continues it will leave us short.

"A lot of people have not even heard of us because we just get on with our work quietly behind the scenes."

Mrs Rattley, who has a 12-year-old daughter, Lizzie, admits she does lead a hectic life but insists it is worthwhile.

She said: "2003 was really busy. As well as various requests to help professional emergency services at fires, floods and a gas leak, there were other events in and around the county that needed the WRVS team's help.

"But generally it fits in easily enough with the rest of my life and I do enjoy doing it. You just have to be available when you say you will be.

"I wanted to get involved in voluntary work to give something back to society. It presents you with the chance of making a difference."

If you would like to join Mrs Rattley's team, or are interested in finding out about the other WRVS projects, contact volunteering manager Sue Creighton on 07714 898660 or 0845 6014670 or visit www.wrvs.org.uk