RETIRED people have been holding a torch to the benefits of volunteering.

Martin Pengelly, Wales' national manager of the Retired Seniors Volunteering Programme (RSVP), has embarked on a Flame of Volunteering Tour, which has seen him carrying a lit torch around all 22 Welsh local authority areas.

He also took with him a petition urging Welsh councils to recognise the organisation's work, which involves retired people giving up their time to help children, the disabled and those in need.

The tour began in Anglesey last week and was due to finish today.

On Friday, Mr Pengelly headed for the Gwent Valleys, making his way to Ebbw Vale, then Pontypool, where he was greeted by the mayor of Torfaen, Councillor Collette Thomas.

Torfaen area organiser Ray Sharpe said: "We thought this would be a good way of advertising all the good work these people are doing when they so-called retire and encourage other people to join. We have used horses, boats and trucks to make sure the torch and petition get round.

"The petition is a positive message about the benefits of volunteering. Wales has the best record of retired people volunteering, but we wanted to let the authorities know we exist."

The flame was taken to Blaenau Gwent by volunteers in a classic 1967 red and white Bristol service bus.

Volunteers are allocated to different posts, such as gardening for the disabled or helping children to read, depending on their skills and which areas they are interested in.

The organisation is part of Community Service Volunteers and is funded through grants from organisations such as the National Assembly.

Mr Pengelly dreamed up the tour to mark the United Nations' International Year of Volunteers this year. Over the weekend, he also visited Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Newport, before ending up at the National Assembly building to hand in the petition.

* To find out more about volunteering with RSVP, contact them at CSV House, Williams Way, Cardiff, or on 029 20 390477.