Diamond wedding couple Tom and Brenda Holding wanted to help a good cause on the Island instead of receiving presents for their special anniversary.

Their next door neighbour Ron Young’s severely disabled grandson Joseph Peaurt, 15, of Kent Avenue, Minster, attends the village’s Preston Skreens respite centre for children – so they could not think of a better cause to give the £150 they raised.

The couple live at Bartletts Close, Halfway and Tom, who was 80 in June, said: “Over the years we were fortunate to receive presents on special occasions but for our diamond wedding anniversary we wanted to to help a local organisation so with the help of family and friends we were able to make a donation to this good cause which does admirable work on Sheppey.”

And Brenda, who will be 80 in September, added: “Our story began when we met during service in the RAF at Bentley Priory, Stanmore, Middlesex. He was a chef and I was a waitress at the officers’ mess there. We married on de-mob in 1948 at the now–demolished St Paul’s Church in Blue Town.

“Our courtship started with laughter and it has continued all through our lives.”

Tom, who became a senior maintainance officer with Swale Borough Council, added: “We trust each other and I always make her tea in the morning.”

The couple have one son Robert as well as two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.