Thurcroft grandmother gets our Guardian Rose

June Thompson was born and bread in the village and has worked there for 40 years.

The 64-year-old has worked as a hairdresser and in a shop, post office and bingo hall.

For the last 14 years she has become a familiar face in the pharmacy on Green Arbour Road, where she works as a health care assistant.

Last week her daughter Kelly Whitehead presented her mum with our Guardian Rose, ahead of her retirement today (Friday) and her 65th birthday tomorrow.

Kelly said: “She has worked in the village for almost 40 years. Everyone knows her. I’m sure she will be missed by everyone that regularly visits the chemist.”

“If anyone deserves the rose, it’s my mum. She is so special because she has also battled breast cancer and also had breast reconstruction.”

“She’s done more since she had breast cancer. She helps at the Rotherham Breast Cancer Support Group and has also posed for a topless calendar to raise money with other women who have breast cancer.

“I think my mum is one in a million.”

June received the rose infront of daughter Amie, grandson Alfie and all her colleagues at the chemist.

“I’m totally shocked, really overwhelmed. I love it,” said June.

“I’ve never worked out of the village, apart from a stint in Morrisons.”

June said she loves working at the pharmacy and enjoys helping people.

She added: “I love the staff here (at the pharmacy) and the various roles in the job. I really like helping people. With this job you get people coming in that have gone (what I’ve gone through) and I can offer them advice.”

June, who has another daughter called Jodie, said she planned to start decorating in her retirement, as well as looking after her youngest grandson Alfie Churm, seven months and dedicating more time to the support group.

Of her family, she said: “I think the world of them all. I would do anything for them. I just didn’t expect anything like this.”