Forty-four-year-old volunteer, Qian Xueying, is the leader of the city's largest volunteer group, which comprises of 500 members committed to preventing drowning accidents and improving the ecological environment of parks.

Qian Xueying (left), is the leader of the city's largest volunteer group, which comprises of 500 members committed to preventing drowning accidents and improving the ecological environment of parks.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"A few years ago, drowning accidents often happened in the Jiyang Lake near my home. So some nearby residents voluntarily organized a group in 2013 to patrol around the lake every summer on the evenings and I was one of them," said Qian. "Since we started the group, no accidents have occurred during the past two years. Sometimes we feel like heroes because we are saving lives," she added.

In addition to patrolling popular swimming areas in the lake, Qian's group also carries out weekly activities in six parks every Sunday afternoon to collect litter and promote environmental protection.

Qian, who works as a wedding photographer when she isn't volunteering, has spent most of her leisure time participating in volunteer activities. So much so that her husband and daughter are now also volunteers so that they can carry out charity work as a family.

The chairman of the Zhangjiagang Volunteers Association, Mr. Wang said that voluntary service has no boundaries and that voluntary service has become a daily routine for local people in the city. "It is hard work, but it's worth it," said Wang.

The volunteers association has launched an incentive system to encourage the public to participate in volunteer work. They will be able awarded each year according to their service time. The awards include free physical examination, free bus passes, tourism passes and movie tickets.

Volunteers in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province are awarded each year according to their service time. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To strengthen the camaraderie between volunteers, the association regularly holds a series of events such as sports meetings, talent contests and birthday parties, which have helped to enrich the cultural life and boost unity of the volunteers.