AN Anglesey woman had a surprise after learning that the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office had taken time out from Brexit to get in touch.

Frances Jones, known as 'Fay' has been awarded a Points of Light award recognising her volunteer work to help blind and partially sighted people.

Every weekday, the Prime Minister selects someone for the award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers who are making a change in their community.

Fay, 77, from Holyhead, lost her sight loss due to macular degeneration. She was diagnosed at the age of 62.

Despite the setback, the long time community fundraiser, focused her energy on helping blind and partially sighted people on Anglesey and Gwynedd not to feel isolated.

She has long worked as a volunteer at the North Wales Society for the Blind and for the RNIB Cymru. The former recipient of an MBE, was given her latest award in recognition of knit and natter groups she started, which bring together sighted volunteers, blind and partially sighted people together. She has also set up a unique initiative on Anglesey, the RNIB Cymru Listening Books Group.

Mr Johnson's office called the North Wales Society for the Blind, in Bangor, where previously Fay had volunteered.

Fay said: "I couldn't believe it, when the Society contacted me and said Boris Johnson's office has been trying to get hold of you. I mean, you'd think he'd have enough on his plate!"

"So, I called them back, it is not everyday you ring the Prime Minister's office, and it turned out someone had nominated me for a Points of Light award. I'm deeply honoured, it was completely unexpected and I feel very humbled.

Fay was awarded the UK's 1257th Points of Light award, in recognition of "exceptional service bringing together blind people through knit and natter."

She added: "As a severely sight impaired person I know the feelings of isolation that come with losing vision, I had some bad times after diagnosis, so it is a privilege to help others."

"In a personal letter to Fay, Boris Johnson said: "I know you do this with no thought of praise and reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how 'knit and natter' is fighting the isolation and loneliness too often felt by those who are blind or partially sighted."

RNIB Cymru director Ansley Workman said: “We are thrilled that Fay has been recognised by the Prime Minister.

"Many people with sight loss are at risk of feeling isolated, which is why social groups like Fay’s are so important.”

The Knit and Natter group meets at Holyhead Library every other Monday at 1pm. Contact RNIB Cymru on 029 2082 8500.

The Holyhead knitting group presented hand-made red, white and blue scarves to Anglesey RNLI crews at a recent Seafarers' Service in July.

The group made over 40 scarves for crew members from all four of the RNLI’s lifeboat stations in Anglesey.

They were presented at St Cybi’s Church in Holyhead in a service thanking the volunteer seafarers for helping others.

Scarves were also made for the Cornish sea shanty singing group the Fisherman's Friends.