Organiser Rachel Popham, 64, of Sinnington, retired from her role as organiser of Ryedale In-Touch Group, nearly 11 years after the charity
managed to secure National Lottery funding to pay for a permanent member of staff.

"I'm really sad but I'm past my sell-by" she said. "It will be a real wrench. We have a huge amount of fun and I think of the members as friends."

The former head teacher and Ofsted inspector has helped Ryedale In-Touch Group develop over the years to offer services such as computer training, yoga and audio tape reading group.

Demand has grown too and it now caters for 40 people in Malton and up to 30 people in Pickering.

Rachel said: "They are confined to their homes and the things that
elderly people do in their own homes – watch TV, read and so on – are all barred to anyone with sight loss. It's so much more isolating than people realise."

But she added: "They do have a wonderful lift to life when they know at least once a fortnight, they are going to go out of their homes. It makes such a difference."

Grateful members chipped in to buy presents and show how much Rachel means to them at a special party in the community centre at Wentworth Street, Malton.

Barbara Wilson, who has been a volunteer of the charity for the past nine years, said: "She has been absolutely wonderful. She's been there for us all the time – nothing was too much trouble. Everybody likes her – they wouldn't come if they didn't. Ryedale In-Touch is always a full house."

Rachel, who is grateful to the help of her husband Ian over the years, will now "take a breather and get my garden in decent fettle" before continuing other work as a trustee and as a governor with Pickering Community Infants School.