A LIFETIME of support for her local community saw Maureen Squires named UK Sports Volunteer of the Year at a national ceremony.

Maureen, a volunteer at Raychem Netball Club and Swindon Vixens, was given the Torch Trophy Trust’s prize at a ceremony in London.

The trust, a charity that supports and recognises sports volunteers across the UK, selected the 63-year-old as the UK’s most outstanding volunteer from a shortlist of 20.

Maureen was nominated by England Netball for her exceptional service to the sport and to her local community over the past 40 years.

She said: “I feel like a bit of a fraud as there are thousands of volunteers giving their hours towards volunteering.

"It was amazing to get the award. Things don’t survive without volunteers.”

Maureen coached and managed Wiltshire county teams until 2004 and continues to play, umpire and coach for her club.

She is also the founder and driving force of the Swindon Vixens, a club aimed at local women with learning disabilities, which provides an environment for players to get active.

And Maureen is a leader of Walking Netball, a sport which allows thousands of women who had otherwise thought their playing days were over to participate.

She added: “As long as I have my health I will keep on going. I am trying to provide a balanced, social inclusion aspect, so vulnerable people are in a safe environment which is good for them.”

She added: “It was nice to be acknowledged and to be given the award by the Duke of Gloucester.”

England great Sir Bobby Charlton CBE, president of the trust, had high praise for Maureen.

He said: “I'm always full of awe at our winners and the contributions they make to our communities. So to be overall winner in this company is an incredible achievement. Maureen is an outstanding volunteer and her sport is lucky to have her.”

The Duke of Gloucester, who presented the awards, said he believed that award-winners were role-models for those around them: “Volunteering is the lifeblood of the United Kingdom and it’s an honour to reward people who give up so much of their time and their energy for others.

"I hope they act as an inspiration to the people around them.”

The trust was founded in 1962 to encourage, reward and recognise the UK’s three million sports volunteers. The awards are unique in acknowledging the breadth of the contribution of volunteers in sport, something which has been at the heart of its mission since it was founded 56 years ago.