A Croydon volunteer is encouraging people to take a holiday for charity.

Henrietta Harrison first considered volunteering opportunities last year and chose to support deaf-blind adults while on their summer break as part of a holiday programme run by the deaf-blind charity, Sense.

The mother-of-one who lives in Sanderstead, travelled to the Norfolk Broads and was matched with Jodi Birch, a 29-year-old from Lincolnshire.

During their week long holiday, Ms Harrison, 49, supported Jodi to enjoy activities neither of them would normally do such as horse-and-carriage rides, picnics in the park and sailing.

She said of the experience: "I wanted to do something for my community, do something constructive and give something back.

"I didn't know anything about it, you get a briefing before hand, but you don't know until you get there how it is going to pan out.

"The word I would use to describe the trip was enriching. It was a very enriching experience, it was lovely and completely new.

"My reward for the trip was the best moment of the trip, when Jodi held out her arms and gave me a big warm hug. It was her way of saying 'thank you."

Eleanor Coker, Sense Holidays Coordinator, said: "Volunteers like Henrietta really make a difference because deaf-blind people will get to try new experiences, while parents and carers get a week's respite break.

"If you volunteer, you will support deaf-blind people to have an amazing time and locations range from city breaks to the Yorkshire Dales and a folk festival in Kent."

Ms Harrison added: "I can honestly say volunteering on a Sense holiday is one of the best things I've ever done.

"If you want to do something for the community, for sense or any other charity, it's certainly worth investigating."

For more information visit www.sense.org.uk/holidays or call 0845 127 0060.