Helston has three new freemen this week, as the freedom of the town was conferred upon citizens for the first time in over ten years.

In an awards ceremony at the Guildhall on Tuesday morning the mayor, Councillor Mike Thomas named Margaret Fitter, Ivan Perry and Robert Williams as honorary freemen of the town.

Mrs Fitter was recognised for her fundraising to benefit cancer patients in the town, while Mr Perry was given the award due to his long service to local and national voluntary organisation, and Mr Williams for his work with voluntary organisations and dedication to the town's annual Christmas lights display.

Councillor Thomas said: "I am pleased and proud of the new freemen. What a wonderful day it was for the town, that these three people were rewarded for what they have done for the community."

Margaret Fitter moved to Helston in 1965, and trained as a Marie Curie nursing auxiliary, caring for terminally ill people in their own homes during the night, while running her own business, The Birds’ Parlour in Wendron Street. She later opened a dress agency, started fundraising in 1989 with a £1rail outside her shop, opened a Macmillan Nurses charity shop in 1991, and in 1998 retired from the agency, donating all the proceeds to Macmillan nurses.

In 2007 Margaret formed a charitable trust named Cancer Funding for Cornwall, and although the shop closed in 2013, funds are still being distribute, with over £1 million donated to cancer patients and their families in Cornwall.

Ivan Perry, was born in Stithians and moved to Helston in 1961,and has been or continues to be a committee member of the Benenden Healthcare Society, a member of the League of Friends of Helston Community Hospital, a member of the National Pensioners’ Convention, up until recently attending their annual People’s Parliament, chairman of Helston Age Concern and a trustee of Age UK Cornwall, and a committee member of the Cornwall Senior Citizens Forum.

Ivan served as standard bearer for Helston OCS for many years, is a Friend of Helston Museum and is well known for airing his views at Helston Town Council and Wendron Parish Council meetings.

Ivan campaigned for years for the bus shelters in Coinagehall Street, cutting the ribbon at their official opening ceremony in February.

Helston raised Robert Williams, who still works at family firm JC Williams, is responsible for organising the

Helston Christmas lights, a task which he has carried out for over twenty years, organise the display, check, maintain and store the lights and obtain funding, and spends his free time during the rest of the year planning for future improvements.

As well as the Christmas Lights committee, Robert has been a member and director of the Helston Business Improvement Partnership since its inception, is chairman of the partnership’s Aesthetics Group, and helps organise Helston Town Tidy week.

Councillor Thomas added: "It was a very positive day for the town, and one I felt very proud to be mayor at."