A celebration is being held in honour of a former teacher from Great Barton who has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for vulnerable children.

East Anglian Daily Times: Julia Briggs, who has dedicated her life to helping children and is having her fundraising efforts celebrated. Picture: GREGG BROWNJulia Briggs, who has dedicated her life to helping children and is having her fundraising efforts celebrated. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Now in her 80s, Julia Briggs MBE, has been supporting the Children’s Society since she was a child herself.

And, while she is not as active as she used to be due to health reasons, she still runs a shop in aid of the charity out of the double garage at her home.

On August 25 her lifelong efforts for the society will be recognised at a closed event at Freedom Church in Great Barton.

Emily Timmins, relationship manager for the Children’s Society in East Anglia, said: “Having only known Julia since the start of this year I have been overwhelmed by her commitment to the Children’s Society, and her relentless energy and enthusiasm for fundraising.

East Anglian Daily Times: Julia Briggs. Picture: GREGG BROWNJulia Briggs. Picture: GREGG BROWN

“At The Children’s Society we work up and down the country with disadvantaged children and young people who have nowhere left to turn, with the help of exceptional people like Julia we are able to carry on our important work.

“I am so thrilled we are able to recognise Julia’s efforts later in the month with a celebration event in her honour. She is a true star, and we are lucky to have her as a supporter – thank you Julia!”

Miss Briggs said she originally came across the Children’s Society through the Church, adding “everything stems from my faith”.

As a child in Essex she said she was involved in fundraising concerts and she used to teach in a Sunday school, where the children would raise money for the society.

In Great Barton, she used to hold a sale twice a year at her house, but has given it up due to her health. However, she still makes collections for the charity and has her garage shop.

Miss Briggs, who delivers Archant’s Mercury newspaper locally, said she did feel “proud” of all she has achieved for the organisation.

“I cannot believe so many years have gone by and I still continue with it,” she said. “It’s been a real lifelong commitment.”

Miss Briggs, 80, said she had always worked with children, as a teacher in Essex and also at Westgate Primary School and the former Eastgate Primary in Bury St Edmunds.

She was awarded her MBE in 2001 and a Children’s Society medal a few years later.