A volunteer who helps gives children with special needs a holiday has been given a High Sheriff award for devoting her time to help others.

Despite suffering from a virulent and persistent form of epilepsy since the age of 22, Carole Kyte, now 48, has devoted herself to the work of the Chippenham-based North Wilts Holiday Club.

She has worked tirelessly over 13 years to raise money for the club and has given her time in the summer holidays to assist with activities, providing fun for the children and respite for the carers.

For the past two and a half years she has also volunteered for the YMCA shop at Emery Gate in Chippenham.

Mrs Kyte, who lives in Bremhill, near Calne, said: “I can’t get paid work because of my fits. I don’t get warnings, it just happens. It affects me quite a lot but I’m very determined and I fight.

“Working in the shop makes me feel useful. The manager, Steve Graham, is marvellous, I feel accepted.”

She was presented with the award in March by the then High Sheriff of Wiltshire, William Wyldbore-Smith.

Mrs Kyte said: “It’s nice, I am proud, but I would do it anyway. I love what I do. The holiday club gives the parents much-needed time to themselves and also time to spend with the siblings.”

The group, which meets at St Nicholas School in Malmesbury Road, provides care for about 25 young people aged between four and 20.

Over the years Mrs Kyte has raised about £9,000 for the club, run by Jo Burton.

But this is just a quarter of what it takes to run the club for the three weeks in July and August each year.

Donations can be made at localgiving.com/donation/nwhc