When Neelam Shah first started volunteering aged 13, she was unaware that she would spend the next 10 years supporting numerous charities and making a difference to her community and beyond.

During the past decade Miss Shah, of Colliers Water Lane, Thornton Heath, has volunteered for international organisation Global Action Plan, writing articles and blogs, while fundraising for Action Aid, Water Aid and in the aftermath of the devastating Haiti earthquake in 2010.

Closer to home the ex-Norbury Manor student has volunteered as a shop assistant for the British Heart Foundation and with Croydon Voluntary Action, in particular working with Croydon towards road safety and the creation of zebra crossings in the area.

The 23-year-old said: “I like to think that some of my work has helped people, here and abroad.

“It has also been really important to me and I have developed so many skills and learned so much through this work.”

Currently studying a masters degree, Miss Shah still finds time to continue her charity work, and is an activist for animal welfare charity Peta.

Her work has not gone unnoticed and she has previously won a Team London award for her efforts.

Miss Shah has been nominated in the charity volunteer of the year category.

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