Diss Break charity shop and Bressingham Steam Museum worker Colin Colegate, talks about volunteering at 90

A pensioner, who is still volunteering at the age of 90, said he has no plans to give up yet.

Colin Colegate, of Stuston Road in Diss, celebrated his milestone birthday with his family on Wednesday.

Despite retiring 25 years ago, his advancing years have not affected his passion for helping his community, with Mr Colegate a popular face at Break charity shop in Mere Street and at Bressingham Steam Museum.

The former lorry driver said: “When I retired, I did not want to just sit in my armchair all day, watching TV, so I thought I would go out into the world, do my bit for the community and help people, which I love.”

After navigating the country’s roads for 23 years, Mr Colegate and his wife, Brenda, moved to Diss in 2016, where his passion for volunteering remained unabated.

Six years ago, he took on a role for Break, doing two mornings a week, while also helping the steam museum over its busy Christmas periods.

“The thing I love most about volunteering is meeting so many different people every day,” said Mr Colegate, who has three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“No two days are the same, and it keeps me active.”

Charlotte Bland, manager of Break, said: “He is such a laugh at the shop and loves to chat with people when they come in.

“People really enjoy having Colin in the shop and some do come in specifically to talk to him.”

Having worked with Mr Colegate since he started, Mrs Bland said it was not just the customers that love having him around.

“He lights up the shop with his enthusiasm and he is a real joker, loving a good giggle,” she said.

“All of our volunteers and staff love to see him on his two days and he is a firm favourite with the customers. We do appreciate him and he is such a good, old boy.”

As a big advocate of volunteering, Mr Colegate said he hoped he could inspire other people to give it a go.

“If others want to help their communities and are thinking about volunteering, they should take that step and give it a try,” he said.

“You get the chance to meet so many new and different people, make lots of friends, like I have, and give a little back, which is lovely.

“I love doing what I do and, after celebrating my birthday, I shall be back at the shop as per normal.”