A MAN who says that giving his time for others is simply an ‘inbuilt’ part of him received the British Empire Medal in the New Years Honours list.

Terry Bolt volunteers for several organisations, predominantly those helping the elderly to improve their quality of life.

Having been a ‘Walk and Talk’ group leader for nine years, Terry has supported many people to make new friends while getting fitter on weekly Tuesday walks in Tavistock.

Together with his good friend Jeff Hearn, he has raised more than £50,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through Cape to Cape rallies in his beloved MG sportscar.

And he also finds time to work at the Sterts Theatre in Upton Cross, as one of around 100 volunteers who take on roles such as stewarding the car park and selling tickets.

Three years ago, Terry founded the ‘Blokes that Brunch’ group, a weekly meet up in St Dominick for older men who risk social isolation. This, he says, has been his greatest achievement.

‘There’s normally about eight of us that meet. It’s a very worthwhile thing because these are isolated guys,’ he said.

‘We used to get people referred by Age UK, but since there have been cutbacks 26 coordinators have gone in Cornwall. So it’s been left to volunteers to find new recruits.’

At the tender age of 80 himself, Terry enjoys pursuing his own hobbies, namely, ‘singing with the Sterts Singers, driving my MG, and going to watch Plymouth Argyle.’

He has stepped back from some of his earlier volunteer commitments, as he now spends more time caring for his 104 year old mother in law, Marjorie.

As The Cornish Times caught up with Terry on Wednesday, he was planning to meet up with Marjorie for lunch.

He says that after he lost his wife in 2001, more volunteering was a natural step for him.

‘I needed something to fill my days. But I had always been a volunteer - I was a member of the Callington Lions for 36 years,’ Terry said.

‘I don’t think you plan to become a volunteer, it just happens. It’s inbuilt.’

Terry says he has been inundated with calls and emails since the news of his BEM was announced.

It comes on the heels of him receiving Cornwall’s Volunteer of the Year award in 2016.

‘It was a big shock to win that award as there are 140,000 volunteers in Cornwall,’ said Terry.

‘I feel quite chuffed at the moment.’