SHE may be 82 but Vera Michél is not letting that stop her giving up her time to help others.

The sprightly Weymouth pensioner will again be volunteering her services on Carnival Day on August 19.

She is among a group of people who carnival organisers the Weymouth Community Volunteers (WCV) will be calling on to help sell raffle tickets and programmes as well as man stalls.

There are plenty of volunteering opportunities available and those interested can contact the WCV office at 51a St Mary Street.

Great-grandmother Vera, of Wyke Regis, dressed up last year to sell raffle tickets, joining other volunteers on the seafront for about six hours.

Vera, who is known for her cheeky sense of humour, said: “Hopefully they’ll get me on a stall this year. I like selling raffle tickets and talking to people but I wouldn’t mind getting behind a stall, just for a change.”

She added: “I got drowned by the rain last year like everyone else but I still enjoyed the carnival. It’s a wonderful event which is still quite old fashioned and I think we should celebrate traditions like this.

“Too many events are dying out or being suppressed.”

Widow Vera is from Bristol and moved to Weymouth almost 20 years ago to be near family members.

She has five children, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

When not spending time with the family, Vera enjoys the social activities at Pilgrim House run by Age Concern and the Saturday club at the Acorns.

She also devotes a lot of her time looking out for others and supporting good causes including making donations to the local charity shops and to Dorset County Hospital.

Vera declared: “I’ll do anything for anyone at any time – within reason.”

WCV chairman Sue Follan said: “Vera is a wonderful lady. She is our eldest volunteer and was one of the first to sign up for the carnival this year. She’s a star.”

Mrs Follan said the carnival was about community and she invited people to make their mark and join in the fun by volunteering. Staff from local firms including Dorset County Council will be getting involved through an employees’ volunteering scheme.

n If you are interested in volunteering for the carnival contact 01305 830255.