Charlotte James

Charley is my very best friend. For 6 years, she volunteered to help run a Rainbows group, as part of the Girl Guiding UK, looking after 5-7 year-olds, all whilst attending school and college, as well as holding down a part-time job. In 2008, her 44 year-old father Dai was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (which went misdiagnosed for 5 years). I personally saw how hard it was for her to terms with, he is one of the youngest people to be coping with the debilitating condition. Last year at her Uni, she volunteered with the student Union to help 1st year students move into their halls and make them feel welcome. This summer she has given up two months of her time and money to complete two work-experience placements to further her ambitions in her dream career. She has also recently applied for a part-time internship with a charity called READ International which collect unused textbooks from schools in the UK and donate them to schools in Africa and is through to the final stage of recruitment and hoping to volunteer for the charity this year. Over the last couple of years, she has become more focused on her personal fitness, using running as a way to raise money for charity. She has been training for a half-marathon, which she will complete in October and has collected substantial sponsorships on behalf of Parkinson's UK. She is a generous individual, frequently giving up her time for other people, never expecting anything in return and is always there for you.