A dedicated volunteer at the Wimbledon Guild is celebrating her fiftieth birthday - and 5,000th hour of volunteer work - today. 

Noreen Sheridan, who has Down's Syndrome, has worked part-time at the Wimbledon Guild's café in Worple Road for the past nine years, without ever taking a day off sick.

To celebrate her birthday, staff surprised Ms Sheridan with a hand-made card, her favourite lunch of lasagne and a chocolate cake. 

Wimbledon Guild's head of social welfare, Jane Platts, paid tribute to Ms Sheridan's "outstanding" contribution to the charity, and said: "Our customers have a soft spot for Noreen as she is very caring and kind-hearted towards them. 

“Although it is difficult to have a conversation with Noreen, as she wears hearing aids and has limited speech, her actions speak louder than words.

"Many of our customers are older people and if they are feeling a bit down or lonely, she will take time to sit with them and hold their hand to show she cares.

"Noreen is a fantastic member of the team and shows dedication and commitment above and beyond her duties as a volunteer."

She added that Ms Sheridan had been "absolutely delighted" by her birthday surprise. 

The Wimbledon Guild provide free, indepedendent and professional advice services to residents across Merton, including counselling, classes and volunteering. For information about the Guild, click here.