A NORTHWOOD girl guide leader is our second featured Local Hero, as your nominations for Hillingdon Heroes 2014 continue to flood in.

Volunteer Alison Vaughan is a worthy candidate, dedicating years to her local brownie group and helping children at a primary school with their reading, despite living with a disability.

She first accompanied her young niece to the 6th Northwood (Emmanuel) Brownies, which meets every Wednesday term-time evening at Emmanuel Church Northwood, in High Street, 11 years ago, and now she is a group leader.

She is heavily involved in all the activities and the events and holidays, despite being confined to a wheelchair.

Miss Vaughan, who lives off Chesnut Avenue, in Northwood, with her mother, Stella, has suffered from spinal muscular atrophy, a muscle-wasting condition, since birth. She has not let her physical limitations hold her back, however, and she says that she gains a lot from her volunteering.

“I find working with children lovely, and amazing. Whatever you give, they always give back a whole lot more. I really enjoy what I do. It is great fun.

“They are always kind and interested in new things.

“They also don’t mind the fact that I can’t do certain things. If one of them can see that I need help, they will jump up and help me.

“They then learn that helping others is good and realise that we are all different.”

For the past seven years, she has also been a reading helper to year six pupils at Hillside Junior School, in Northwood Way.

Alison was put up as a local hero by her aunt Barbara Vaughan, who is married to Alison’s father’s brother.

Barbara said: “She is very cheerful a lot of the time, and doesn’t let her disability stop her doing anything. She keeps very active. She is really deserving of this award, I think.”

The Local Heroes ceremony is on June 5. Nominate your hero using the form on this form.

Categories this year are just adult or under-18s but when nominating, consider whether the person is an outstanding young person, star carer, courageous citizen, fabulous fundraiser or community champion.

Our ‘Heroes’ will get a £50 prize and ‘Superheroes’ a £200 prize, plus the chance for a further £500 for being the overall ‘Superhero Of Hillingdon’.

There will also be commendation certificates.

If you have a Local Hero in mind, nominate them using the form below: