Volunteers are invaluable. They are the cement which holds the bricks of civilised society together. Without their commitment and hard work, their willingness to give their time and energy for the benefit of other individuals or the community, many people who are in need of help and support would not get it and many worthwhile projects would founder.

In the early decades of the last century a great deal of welfare work was dependent on volunteers. Then came the Welfare State and there was less need for them. Official bodies, run by the Government or local authorities, took over a lot of the work that had previously been the domain of voluntary organisations.

In recent years though, with the welfare services coming under increasing financial pressure, the demand for volunteers to fill the gaps has grown tremendously.

Fortunately there are still people who are pleased to devote at least some of their time to their community. A hundred of them were rightly honoured yesterday at a ceremony at City Hall. Among them was Linda Hanson, who lost her sight at the age of 34 and now, eight years later and with her guide dog, befriends elderly people at a Bradford residential home. She has also become a qualified aromatherapist and provides pensioners with treatment.

Mrs Hanson has turned her handicap into a strength and uses it for the benefit of others. She is an outstanding example of the spirit of volunteering. Hopefully her determination to help others will inspire more people with something to offer to come forward to meet the growing need for help that is freely given.