A COUPLE who devoted their lives to charity are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

Ron and Irene Dickie, of Durham City, have been involved in running youth clubs and other organisations and in their retirement have worked as volunteers for St Cuthbert’s Hospice.

Mr Dickie, 82, said: “The year I retired about 25 years ago Cuthbert’s Hospice was established and we both offered them our services.

“I have been a member of the management committee for 20 years and we are both still active with the charity.”

He was awarded an MBE for services to the community in Durham in 2010,

The couple met in their teens at the Methodist Youth Club in Langley Moor, near Durham City, and married on April 3, 1954.

They bought a house in Ushaw Moor, where they lived for five years before moving to Nevilles Cross, where they set up the a new youth club.

Mr Dickie was assistant director of social services at South Tyneside Council at his retirement.

As a Durham city councillor, he represented Nevilles Cross ward as an independent member until the authority ceased to exist in April 2009, when the county gained unitary status.

He said: “We both enjoy the family, garden and holidays in the UK and abroad.”

The couple, who celebrate their anniversary on Thursday, will mark the occasion with family and friends at Camsell Court, Framwellgatemoor, Durham City.

They have two daughters - Barbara and Julia - four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.