Northern Ireland

Leading Samaritans volunteer, aged 88, receives major award

AN 88-year-old woman who fled Hitler's regime in Germany as a child to make a new home in Belfast is to be recognised by British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Dorothy Cooper (88) is the north's leading Samaritan volunteer and has dedicated 40 years of her life to the charity.

She has taken more than 6,000 calls, trained 1,600 new members of staff and raised more than £20,000 for her Belfast branch.

In recognition of her achievements she is to receive a Point of Light award today which honours outstanding individual volunteers.

The Prime Minister wrote to Dorothy saying: "Despite experiencing the trauma of being forced to flee your own country, you have dedicated thousands of hours to supporting others in their time of need".

Ms Cooper said she was "shocked" by the award.

"Being part of the Samaritans enables me to help others, be among the people and ultimately makes me feel alive," she said.