A woman who has been working with the Multiple Sclerosis Society for over 50 years was the toast of Helston this week.

Enid Johns, of Penview Crescent, was awarded the MBE for her work with the charity and for services to the local community.

A tireless worker for the area, Mrs Johns first got involved with the charity when her first husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and now, 52 years later she is still heavily involved in the work of the organisation.

She was even partly responsible for Cornwall getting its own specialist MS nurse.

The society's beginnings in Cornwall date back only to 1970, when five people, including Mrs Johns, met in Truro. The Carrick branch was formed first, with branches for West Cornwall, Kerrier and Helston being set up later.

Mrs Johns helped to set up all of the branches and now works with the Helston and Lizard branch which began ten years ago.

"I feel very humbled by this honour," she told the Packet. "I was very surprised at how much I have done in my life. You tend to just do these things without even thinking about it.

"I got quite nostalgic when I started to look back over the years at the things I have done and all of the wonderful people I have met.

"I have been lucky that I have enjoyed good health which has given me the strength to help others and support this wonderful charity."

She added: "The branches of the society are dependent on volunteers and the Helston group in particular is very grateful for any help we get. I only hope that this honour will help to promote what we do and encourage support of this worthwhile cause."

Mrs Johns' contribution to the Helston community started as a young girl in the girl guides during the war and later as a leader and "brown owl" with the brownies where she began her charitable work by organising fundraising events.

For more than 40 years, Mrs Johns was a teacher at the Curnow Special School where she helped children with severe learning difficulties. She has also worked as a voluntary helper for the probation service although gave this up after here husband Gerald suffered a stroke several years ago.

Both Enid and Gerald played a huge role in helping to get restoration work carried out at Gunwalloe Church again by organising and holding fundraising events.

Mrs Johns also helped with the appointment of the first Multiple Sclerosis specialist nurse for Cornwall 50 years after the society was founded in Great Britain.

The appointment of the nurse for Cornwall came during the 50th anniversary of the charity when Mrs Johns was one of only 50 people to be awarded for her commitment and work for the Multiple Sclerosis.