There are some familiar sights in Kingston at Christmas – the tree in the ancient Market Place, the lights down Clarence Street and Santa and his reindeers at the Bentall Centre.

And you can add to that list the sight of 80-year-old Joyce Tyrer working behind the tills at the Cards For Good Causes stall at All Saints Church in Market Place.

Joyce has been working as a volunteer at the stall since 1987 – although her association with the charity began more than 50 years ago, in 1962.

“It was a curious coincidence,” said Joyce, from Surbiton.

“In 1962 I did a paid job for three months working for the 1959 Group, which was a group of medical charities that got together to do charity Christmas cards.

“I did that job once, in 1962, before having a baby.”

Joyce’s baby daughter was born disabled and Joyce would attend support groups organised by the Homes Farm Trust, a special needs charity now known as HFT.

In 1987, HFT asked for people to volunteer at Christmas stalls for Cards For Good Causes – the trading name of the 1959 Group.

“I was very happy to do that,” said Joyce.

“It is an excellent thing. Even though postage and packaging has gone up since I started, a very sizable amount still goes to charity.”

As well as Cards for Good Causes, for the past 30 years Joyce has volunteered at the Cancer Research UK shop in Victoria Road, Surbiton.

She still works one day a week at the shop – organising the greetings cards. “That’s just a weird coincidence,” said Joyce.

“For many years I ran the till, but then my fingers aren’t supple enough anymore.”

Dexterity not withstanding, Joyce said she has no plans to stop volunteering any time soon. “While I can I shall go on, and luckily enough the Card For good Causes stall has an very old fashioned till at the moment which I can work.

“If it were more sophisticated I don’t think my fingers could work it.”

The Cards for Good Causes shop opens from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, and on selected Sundays from noon to 4pm, until Saturday, December 21.

Do you know an unsung hero? Call the newsdesk on 020 8744 4723 or email jon.sharman@london.newsquest.co.uk.