A SAMARITAN volunteer of 49 years, a veteran theatre director, and a couple who have helped people with mental health problems get their lives back on track were among those honoured at an awards ceremony at Oxford Town Hall.

Lord Mayor of Oxford, John Goddard, presented Certificates of Honour to 15 volunteers, aged between 18 and 90, who between them have given hundreds of years of service to good causes in the city.

Among the recipients was Elisabeth Salisbury, 74, from North Oxford, who was first trained as a Samaritans volunteer by the charity’s founder, the Rev Chad Varah, in 1961.

This year marks her 50th year in the role.

Mrs Salisbury, who is active in the city’s Quaker movement, said: “I read about it when I was studying in Oxford, and bumped into Chad in the street.

“I thought the idea of listening to people who were suicidal was so amazing.”

Gerard Gould, 88, was nominated for the award by Oxford author Philip Pullman, for 65 years of directing youth and amateur dramatics performances.

Along the way, Mr Gould, from North Oxford, directed Ronnie Barker and Ralph Fiennes, as well the world premiere of Noel Coward’s Post Mortem.

He said: “One of the joys was working with a group of people who rely on you as a director. You have to get to know them and what they are capable of doing.”

Peter Hindshaw, 66, who was paralysed at the age of 20 in a car crash in the Lake District, has spent his life campaigning for disabled people’s rights.

He said: “In a millisecond, my life was changed.

“I found myself in hospital and had to start rebuilding my life. When I first came to Oxford in 1982, like many place it was very short of disabled toilets, low floor buses and dropped kerbs, and it was very difficult to get around in a wheelchair.

“A lot of things have improved, but we can still see things where there is no good reason why disabled people should be disadvantaged, but people simply haven’t thought of doing things differently.”

He added: “I’m honoured to get the award, but like many of us, I realise that everything we do is down to other people as well.

Roy and Ruth King, from Kennington, have volunteered for mental health charity Restore for 20 years.# Mr King started working in the charity’s allotments as part of a degree at Westminster College, North Hinksey.

The couple have not stopped working there since.

Mrs King, 73, said: “When people move on and get a job, it is a shame when you have got to know them, but at the same you know they are more able to live a better life. The people are lovely and the atmosphere is really good.

“There is work to do, but no pressure, and we have had a lot of really good times.”

Mr Goddard said: “These people have made an outstanding contribution to their community and it is important we show our appreciation.

“This is Oxford’s own version of the honours list.”