Supporters and friends of Home-Start Breckland and South Norfolk have been celebrating the achievements of its volunteers.

Thetford's Sue Wicks is the longest serving volunteer at the scheme and has helped 17 families and their 40 children in her 20 years' volunteering. One of five worthy volunteers to receive a long service award, she said: 'I know how hard bringing up young children can be. It would have been great to have had someone friendly and non-threatening to give me a hand when my boys were little, to have had someone to talk to and an extra pair of hands.'

She is still in contact with some of her past families, including one family that moved to America and whose youngest child is now 18. Home-Start volunteers must be parents themselves and are trained to help families having difficult times through special home visits.

The audience at the scheme's AGM at Attleborough Town Hall on October 17 also heard about its plans for the future. Call the scheme on 01953 459892 or visit homestartbsn63@greenbee.net