QueenA charity set up by women during the Second World War is launching a campaign to attract men to help with its campaigning work.

The WRVS said it wanted to shed its image as a women-only organisation to boost its work supporting older people.


Launched in 1936 as the Women's Voluntary Services, the charity attracted more than a million women volunteers to lend their support on the home front during the war.

Around 6,000 of its current volunteers are male, but WRVS said it needs many more to help its drive to tackle loneliness in old age, especially among men.

The charity said it hoped the success of the Games Makers at last year's London Olympics would encourage more men to volunteer.

David McCullough, WRVS chief executive, said: "WRVS has had male volunteers since at least 1949 but, with an ageing population, we now need more men to join the charity to provide practical help and companionship to the older people we support.

"It is great to see the Olympic legacy has inspired so many men to want to volunteer. We urge all of the men planning to volunteer this year to add WRVS to their wish list of charities to approach."

The charity needs men and women to fill a variety of roles supporting older people, including cook, handyman, driver, and companion for its Good Neighbours service.

To register an interest in volunteering, visit www.wrvs.org.uk or call 0845 601 4670.