DURING Volunteers' Week (June 1-7), a charity has been putting out a message of thanks and a call to arms.

Sebastian's Action Trust, which has a base in North Waltham, has more than 170 volunteers who donate their time.

Volunteers can, and do, get involved in every aspect of the charity's work, from driving families to medical appointments, helping them to prepare for family events including their Christmas in July party and also Christmas party, getting involved in a range of jobs to improve our facilities at The Woodlands and The Bluebells, and also offering an extra pair of hands during one of their family or fundraising events.

Kate Aherne from Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, became one of the charity's volunteer befrienders in November 2018 and is also their resident princess.

Owner of her own business, Sirens Cosplay, attends events with ill children as a Disney princess to entertain and talk to the children.

Kate said: “I have such fantastic fun at the Trust events, I just find it so rewarding and feel privileged to spend time with families and encourage them to have fun. I also help at sibling fun days, often coming as Ariel or a pirate, and love getting to know the children."

For more information about volunteering, e-mail volunteer@sebastiansactiontrust.org.