A RED Cross fundraiser from York is due to retire after almost a decade of voluntary service.

Beryl Long, who has managed the Red Cross shop in Walmgate for almost nine years, is to receive the society's Badge of Honour for Devoted Service.

Mrs Long, of Bishophill, York, has won a reputation for organising countless appeals linked to public campaigns.

Over the last decade of service for the Red Cross, Mrs Long has helped to raise thousands of pounds for the charity.

Professor John McClure, the Red Cross national chairman, will make the presentation tomorrow, the day before Mrs Long's 65th birthday.

The presentation will take place at Huntington School where the Red Cross staff and volunteers will meet for the annual assembly of the North Yorkshire branch.

Ian Temple, British Red Cross Area Director, said: "Our shop premises in York are not ideal. But Beryl has consistently overcome every difficulty, using her previous experience in retail and her ability to get the best out of people to produce excellent trading results. She is certainly going to be missed.

Mrs Long said: "I've enjoyed every moment of my time with the Red Cross, but I could not have done it without the great team I've been privileged to work with."

She said she would miss the shop and all the people that come into it from all over the world.

"I'm pleased that the majority of the money that the shop receives goes back into Red Cross projects in North Yorkshire, not just in the rest of the world."

At the same presentation ceremony, Joan Clack and Betty Whitby, from Harrogate, will each be receiving a Badge of Honour for Outstanding Service, for 50 years service with the Red Cross.

Updated: 13:01 Wednesday, September 19, 2001