An OUTSTANDING volunteer receives a special award for all his hard work and effort he has put into a charity for older people.

85 year old, retired electrical engineer, Frank Musker was praised for all his volunteering work at the Abbyfield Society for over 25 years and received The Royal Patron’s Awards endorsed by HRH The Prince of Wales, Abbeyfield's Royal Patron, which is given annually to a few select individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to Abbeyfield, its houses, member societies and the lives of its 8,000 residents worldwide.

During his time, Frank has been a fierce advocate for the Abbeyfield House in the local community and carried out vital maintenance work.

He has also helped to plan and deliver a varied and vibrant activities calendar, and also supported other Abbeyfield houses in the region, including as a Trustee at Staveley House in Dalton-in-Furness.

Debbie McGuire, senior house manager for Ulverston and Bolton Le-Sands house described Frank in three words: self-less, caring and supportive.

She said: “Frank supported me a lot in my early days, teaching me the ropes.

“His mum was a resident 27 years ago which is how frank got involved with us and frank knew Ulverston better for a lot longer than I have.

“He made a real difference, he worked relentless on the maintenance side and we had some work with British gas, he went into it instead and saved us abut £4,000 for us, bit like a dog with a bone.

“He saved abbeyfield a lot of money and also just gave us time over the years, saving us a lot of staffing issues that would have paid a bigger job.”

Yesterday, Frank was presented with his award by Lady Cavendish of Holker hall, who has been a long-time supporter of Abbeyfield and its work.

Frank said he was shocked when he received the phone call announcing he had won the award.

He said: “I was very surprised when I received a phone call saying I would be awarded it and then a letter asking if I would accept it.

“All I could say was there is more people deserving than me.”

Established in 1956, The Abbeyfield Society is a charity for older people, providing housing and residential care. The Abbeyfield Society’s mission is to alleviate loneliness and enhance the quality of life for older people, through quality accommodation supporting people to remain socially connected in later life.