PRIME Minister David Cameron has selected a Winchester woman for a special volunteering award.

Claudia Beard, from Bourne Fields in Twyford, has been presented with the Point of Light award for her work making supercapes for underprivileged children around the world.

The award aims to recognise outstanding individual volunteers who try to make a change in their community.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Ms Beard began her work last year in the wake of typhoon Haiyan in a bid to help children recapture their playful sides, even in the face of hardship.

She said: “I was so delighted to get a call from the Cabinet Office to let me know that my charity is the recipient of the Point of Light Award. What we do is such a simple concept but brings a lot of happiness to these little heroes that are battling through some sort of hardship.

“I really appreciate the recognition and am so grateful to be working with some amazing inspirational heroes.”

David Cameron PM said: “Of course when disaster hits children need urgent support to be safe and secure. But as lives are rebuilt in the aftermath of horrific incidents like last year’s Typhoon Haiyan, an initiative like ‘Super Capes’ helps children be children.

“Claudia’s work brings joy to children during some of the toughest times. I am delighted to award her with a Point of Light for the work she is doing to put smiles on young faces across the globe.”

Since Claudia’s caped crusade began, 21 capes have been sent to children in the Phillippines. During that time she has helped local year 8 and 9 textile students with their sewing techniques, launched a pop-up sewing shop in Winchester to create 40 new capes for the Red Cross, and is about to make 600 capes for a children’s hospital in Cape Town.

She will also be doing a skydive in October to raise money for more children in need.