A CHARITY volunteer has won a national competition for two short stories she wrote.

Ruth Taylor, from Chandler's Ford is a retired nurse who currently volunteers as a Rescue Grants Officer at Hampshire Search and Rescue.

Having seen an email from England Illegal Money Lending Team about its National Stop Loan Sharks Short Story Competition, Ruth decided to enter with her two short stories, “A Misunderstanding?” and “If Only……..”.

The stories were among seven winning entries for which Ruth received £100 worth of prize money, which she has said she will donate to the rescue charity.

The stories have been released as part of the Stop Loan Sharks Week campaign, #SharkFreeSurfing, urging people to avoid online loan sharks and get advice and support if they have fallen victim to illegal money lending.

Ruth, aged 69, said: “In my nursing role I worked with vulnerable people who had often got in worrying situations by not having access to advice and guidance in their lives, so I wanted to highlight how easily people can be targeted by criminals.

"It's just nice to achieve something because when you retire you don't get so many pats on the backs.

"It's just nice to be recognised and a productive person, even if I'm getting on a bit."

Tony Quigley, Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team said: “We would like to congratulate Ruth Taylor for her winning entries for the Stop Loan Sharks Short Story Competition.

“Ruth wrote two stories, one a very timely piece set during lockdown telling a pensioner’s story and the other highlighting the importance of talking to someone if you have debt issues."

A loan shark is someone who lends money without the correct authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority.