Volunteers' Week 2022: Meet Roger, one of our most elderly Wombles!

A pensioner who is dedicating his retirement to keeping his village spick and span has been thanked by Keep Britain Tidy as the charity highlights his hard work to mark Volunteers’ Week.

At 82, Roger Powell is one of the country's most elderly litter pickers - but the former RAF officer is still wombling every day!

He says:  “Volunteering impacts on my health by keeping me busy as I live alone.”

The father of three has a fascinating background, having served for seven years with the RAF as an Air Traffic Controller in Uxbridge and Germany.

He used to have a corner shop before working with his brother in displays and exhibitions.

Sadly he was widowed in 2000.

He has been volunteering last three years for Lindengate Mental Health charity and two years wombling for the Aylesbury Wombles litter picking group, where he works alongside around 15 other volunteers.

He jokes: “Aylesbury Wombles have improved my skills but I have improved theirs by buying shears and tree loppers which none of them have!”

Volunteering Week takes place from 1 to 7 June every year, and is a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers like Roger make to our communities and thank them.

Volunteers’ Week is supported and celebrated by small grassroots organisations as well as larger, household-name charities, who together run hundreds of activities across the UK. These activities showcase and celebrate volunteers and the contribution volunteering makes in our communities.