A St John Wales volunteer from Pontarddulais has been named Welsh Volunteer of the Year.

60-year old Lavon Smith has been giving her free time to the first aid charity for almost 25 years.

During that time she raised £26,000 for a new St John Ambulance hall for the town and, in her role as regional youth officer, inspired many young people to achieve skills and awards that will benefit them for years to come.

Lavon won the title of Adult Volunteer of the Year at the Wales Centre for Voluntary Action’s (WCVA) Volunteer of the Year Awards in Cardiff.

Damian James, St John Wales’ Director of Youth said, “Lavon has transformed the volunteering experience for young St John members in Pontarddulais. There are more than 100 youth members and a waiting list of more keen to join, yet Lavon knows every one of them by name.

“Thanks to Lavon’s encouragement many young volunteers have grown up to become paramedics, doctors and other medical staff, helping people and saving lives in their communities.

“Lavon juggles her commitment to the charity with being a Mum and grandmother and a carer for her brother. I am delighted that she has been named volunteer of the year.”

Lavon said, “I was honoured just to be nominated for the WCVA’s Volunteer of the Year Awards but I never expected to win.

“I am lucky that there is a great team of volunteers in the South West Wales area and I have so much support from the other St John youth leaders in Pontarddulais.”

Lavon was also the runner up in The Guardian's 'Volunteer of the Year' Award, which took place during Volunteers’ Week.