A SOUTH Lakeland woman has been hailed a hero for her work helping school children suffering from personal crises.

Bernie Riley, from Grange, has been recognised as a ‘volunteer hero’ for her work with ChildLine during the last two years.

The 66-year-old helps the ChildLine Schools Service, which helps children understand abuse and how they can stay safe – and now, she is calling for more people to sign up to do the same.

“I help to deliver half-hour assemblies and one-hour workshops to nine to 11-year-olds,” she said.

“It’s great and very satisfying to know that we are getting the message across to children that they don’t have to deal with anything on their own. There is always someone they can talk to."

Bernie is one of more than 10,000 people who regularly undertake activities on behalf of the charity.

Area co-ordinator Sally Ellershaw said: “Our volunteers really are heroes to us and more importantly to the children we work to protect.

“Bernie’s support has been invaluable and we would like to appeal to other people to become volunteers.”

To find out more about ChildLine, visit nspcc.org.uk/getinvolved