Barbara Holmes, now 63, has been a member of the Salvation Army when she was less than three year old.

She became uniformed soldier at the age of 18 and, by the way, met husband Don through the corps.

Now, as manager of the Carlisle Salvation Army y clothing and furniture shops she is leading a busy life, managing stores, organising volunteers and, doing whatever is needed.

As is the case for so many organisations, The Salvation Army's charity shops have lost some volunteers.

Sandra works four days a week, from Tuesday to Friday.

On Monday, however, she drives the Salvation Army van doing deliveries and pick ups because there has been no other driver since lockdown.

"I have two people with me but we no longer do large furniture at the furniture shop. just small pieces and nicknacks - again since lockdown."

On her days off she has plenty else to do.

"I do shopping for some of the elderly people around me, collect prescriptions and the like."

She enjoys being involved with people and said her job, which she has done for the past nine years, gives her plenty opportunity for that.

Again, the pandemic has affected her work.

"Once the lockdown was lifted we had a huge number of donations as people used the time at home to sort out their wardrobes and things. Since then, the number of donations has slowed and so have the number of customers as everyone starts watching what they spend.

"We do have our regulars, though, and you get to know them."

She said a particularly rewarding part of her work is that she and her volunteers get the chance to help others.

"We can provide clothing for asylum seekers and refugees and for the homeless. This is especially important in winter when we can also give out sleeping bags and warm clothes."

When she is not working or running around after others,Sandra has two sons and a granddaughter, Tilly, to spend time with.

It is a busy life but this is one soldier who is not complaining, Apart from anything else, she doesn't .have time!