A charity-support organisation is sharing heartening stories to mark the 40th Volunteers’ Week (June 3-9).

Cumbria CVS is showing off Cumbrians who have made a difference in their community through volunteering.

Judith Myers of Hawkshead has been volunteering for 48 years with Girlguiding.

She said: "48 years on and I am still actively enjoying Guiding.

“I have yet to meet a young member whose company I did not enjoy. Every week one of them will make me smile and lightens the day.

"You need no special skills, just a sense of fun.

The Westmorland Gazette:

"I am nearly 70 and more than anything I want to see new volunteers who will have the same opportunities I have had."

Arnside's Pete Taylor also discovered an unexpected lease of life through volunteering at Heron Corn Mill in Beetham after early retirement.

Known as 'Sourdough Pete', he now runs popular bread-making sessions.

Encouraging others to try out volunteering, he said: "You only find out by trying, and one thing can lead to another, so the end result may be a surprise."

For Jacquetta Gomes of Kendal, volunteering is rooted in her faith as a Theravada Buddhist.

Ms Gomes said: "I like being able to share my knowledge and experience and to learn from others.

The Westmorland Gazette:

"Volunteering is very rewarding and expands our view of the world."

Ged Pickersgill was released from prison in 2015, starting a course of behavioural change work at The Well Communities, and by March the next year he became a volunteer.

He now works as the business development lead for The Well Communities in Kendal.

Mr Pickersgill said: “What has Volunteering given to me? Volunteering has removed the Imposter Syndrome that I felt.

"It has been an opportunity to give back to a society that I had previously just taken from.

"What would I say to others about volunteering? A little of your time will make a profound difference to the lives of other people.

"You can put a bit of hope in their hearts.”

The Westmorland Gazette:

Volunteering also gave Stuart Graves purpose, spearheading a Male Carers Support Group following the death of the then-volunteer leader.

He said: “I know that in our own way our support group is making a difference for the guys, and as long as we continue to make this difference I will continue to enjoy my role within it.”

An open Volunteering Lunch and Learn event will be hosted on June 5 at Kendal Town Hall from 12 noon to 1.30pm, offering a chance to learn about volunteering.

People can also visit the Cumbria CVS Volunteering in Cumbria Portal.