An inspiration to many - tributes to one of Leamington's much-loved characters Audrey Gerrans who has died just short of her 98th birthday

She was a complete one-off and an inspiration to many - that is how people will remember Leamington's Audrey Gerrans, who has died at the age of 97.

Amazingly she was still volunteering at the Save the Children charity shop in town until last year's lockdown, leading many to believe that she was the oldest volunteer in the country.

People would drop in on Thursday afternoons, when she worked at the shop, to chat to her and listen to her stories.

Her family said she died on December 20 of natural causes, just over a month before her 98th birthday.

They added: "She passed suddenly and without suffering. She had a lovely last week, seeing family and friends, putting up Christmas decorations and sending and receiving lots of cards.

"She was a complete one-off, a loving matriarch, a good friend and inspiration to many. She loved meeting new people and was a real character.

"Audrey was much loved and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her."

Audrey started raising money for Save the Children when she was just eight years old in 1931 - and went on to volunteer and raise money for charities all her life.

Adrian Hebbert, regional manager for Save the Children, said: "I have know Audrey for the last three years. Her dedication to our charity has been an inspiration to us all.

"Not only in the time she gave each and every Thursday afternoon helping raise funds for the charity but also her dedication outside of the shop, knitting for the charity.

"Audrey would make beautiful Nativity sets that were auctioned each Christmas which she did for many years.

"Audrey’s colleagues in the Leamington shop and the wider Save the Children family will miss greatly and our heartfelt condolences go to her family."

The Courier and Weekly News covered the story when she celebrated her 97th birthday at the shop and she told us at the time: “Working on the till keeps my brain ticking and it’s just lovely chatting to our customers.

“My body may be feeling a bit tired these days but my mind is still pretty good. I’ve still got all my marbles, as we say!”

Audrey was born in 1923 and grew up in Kent.

She was a medical library assistant at Frenchay hospital in Bristol for 30 years and after her retirement stayed on to work there as a volunteer.

Following the death of her husband Joe in 1997, she settled in Leamington to be near children and grandchildren.

She volunteered for charities since moving to Leamington in 1998. She helped at the Arthritis Research shop in the town until it closed, then joined the Friends of Warwick Hospital for 10 years, working one afternoon a week in the charity shop and tin collecting.

She then volunteered on Thursday afternoons at the Save the Children shop in Regent Street.

Audrey also made the pages of the Courier and Weekly News - as well as the national papers - for the World War Two letters she received and wrote to her wartime sweetheart who then became her husband, Joe. They offered an amazing glimpse into the real lives of those affected by D-Day. Click here to read the story.

Audrey's funeral service will take place at St Mary Magdalene's Church, Lillington on Tuesday February 2. Family flowers only but donations in Audrey's memory can be made directly to Alzheimer's Research - https://donate.alzheimersresearch.uk.orgShe had two children, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.