A woman who has dedicated 20 years to helping girls through her guiding volunteer work has won a community hero award.

Lynn Loveday, 53, who lives in Oxhey Village was nominated for the award by her daughter Kelly Loveday and will be retiring from her volunteer work which she has completed for two decades.

Mrs Loveday is currently the District Commissioner of the Oxhey District looking after the Rainbow, Brownie and Guides unit, offering a safe place for girls in the community to learn, have fun and grow.

She said: “I have most recently taken over the rainbow unit as the woman who ran it had a baby. I have lots of hats, I’m leaving Rainbows and Brownies in July and carrying on Guides until Christmas.”

Mrs Loveday decided to become involved when her daughter joined Brownies in 1999 and in the same year moved to the Carpenders Park Brownies Unit to help keep it open.

Mrs Loveday added: “Being the district commissioner I have the whole Oxhey district to look after including the training and all the things they have problems with.”

Lynn organises the termly week to week programme, district events such as bake offs and even finds time to take her Brownies on holidays in the summer to Willow Tree Centre.

She said: “It is one of the highlights of the year as I get to see them grow in confidence and independence as they’re away from their families.”

Lynn has also organised fundraisers for charities such as Peace Hospice and ensures that her groups are involved with the community through supporting events such as Remembrance Day.

Mrs Loveday said: “It gets you interactive with the community and with parents, I earn a lot of satisfaction with children when I get to see them with their badges.

“It is just rewarding each week and it is a shame it lacks leaders. The girls wouldn’t come every week if they didn’t like it.”

When Lynn was told she won the award, she said: “I was a little bit amazed but honoured. Kelly has been a big part of me, she does a lot in the background and is always there giving me ideas and helping me on the computer.”