A 49-YEAR-OLD from Yate has made a full recovery after battling leukaemia and undergoing a bone marrow transplant.

But far from taking it easy, Olwen Taylor feels she has a duty to give something back to her local community.

Since 1994 when she was made redundant from her job as an export clerk for Unilever, she has worked voluntarily at Chipping Sodbury Police Station, at first as a special constable helping to support officers on their patrols.

"At the time there was a lot of people complaining about policing and asking why don’t we see more police officers on the beat," she said.

"Instead of complaining I thought why not do something to help."

When she was diagnosed with chronic lymphatic leukaemia in 1998, Olwen carried on working and was on duty the day before she went into hospital for a life-saving transplant operation.

"I worked for about 12 months with the illness and although I was very tired, I became very poorly after the transplant rather than before," she said.

"I was pleased to keep busy and it certainly kept my mind off things and in the real world."

Olwen was unable to return to work as a special because of the after effects of the operation but she was adamant she could still help in some way.

"I started coming in once a week on a Sunday to help with the community speedwatch scheme," she added.

"I write the letters to people who have been caught driving too fast and help with the administration of the speedwatch scheme.

"I enjoy coming in and meeting everyone and making a contribution to the community.

"I will continue for as long as I can but I have made lifelong friends here and I love it."

Olwen was presented with a long service award at a ceremony at Chipping Sodbury Police Station last Thursday.

Superintendent Steve Jeffries said: "Olwen is fairly unique in her length of service especially taking into consideration her illness.

"This is about us recognising what she does to assist us and to the communities of South Gloucestershire."

Sgt Adrian Fallows, who has worked with Olwen for many years, said: "I find it absolutely amazing that somebody is prepared to be this dedicated, especially with everything else going on in her life.

"Anybody who is willing to help us to make our communities safer will get my backing."