SOUTHAMPTON mayor Linda Norris does not exaggerate when she says that without them the city would grind to a halt.

Councillor Norris was singing the praises of the hundreds, probably thousands of volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that Southampton doesn’t just keep going but thrives.

The Mayor was speaking at a special ceremony held to recognise 13 special volunteers chosen by organisations for their dedication and for going that extra mile.

We also honour those special people in today’s paper.

But we also recognise, as we feel certain that they would, that all of the city’s volunteers, in fact all of the many many thousands of volunteers throughout Hampshire who give so much of their time.

We know that none of the volunteers seeks recognition in this way, but that does not mean we cannot show them a debt of gratitude.

In an age where we are told self is all that matters and we are warned that society is becoming ever more uncaring, it is good to shine a light on those who disprove such dire predictions.