Tucking into a hot chocolate waffle at a festive fair Sue and Holly’s smiles are as bright as the Christmas lights above them.
There is a 40-year age gap between them but they could not be closer as they enjoy the thrills of Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park.
Sue, 58, and Holly, 18, both from Dorset, first met in 2015 through the Action For Children Independent Visitor scheme, which pairs children in care with a volunteer mentor.
Holly, who is studying for a degree in Psychology in Southampton, says: “Before I went into care things were rubbish.
“I was in with the wrong crowd and wasn’t doing very well academically.
“My parents had made bad choices since I was a baby and I moved in with my foster mum and started at a new school in a new area.
“Then Sue turned up and I started to knuckle down a bit and got through my GCSEs.
"I actually looked at a calendar and marked when I met Sue and when my grades started improving.
"She was like a friend and a counsellor all in one.
“If I had a serious issue and had nobody to talk to then I knew I could call Sue and she’d drop everything and come round.”
The pair share a knowing look before Sue adds: “I’m proud to walk beside her.
"I love watching her grow and even though she’s had some really difficult challenges in her life, she’s always maintained her authenticity and is really caring and compassionate.”
Holly says: “Sue’s going to come to my wedding and will be the godmother to my children.”
The Mirror’s Give Kids a Cracking Christmas appeal is raising money to give other vulnerable youngsters the same opportunities as Holly.
Sue tears up as she admits: “This is what makes it all worthwhile – you get back 10 times what you put in.
You can be a real help
The Daily Mirror is raising funds for Action for Children, so it can buy Christmas gifts for some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and offer festive meals to hard-up families.
Action for Children says there are more than 120,000 kids living in temporary accommodation or hostels, with many under-10s without basic essentials such as fresh food or warm clothing.
So every penny you donate to our Give Kids a Cracking Christmas appeal will make a difference.
Action for Children is marking its 150th anniversary and the charity’s Julie Bentley said: “Your donation will help us support our most vulnerable children, not just at Christmas but every day.”
What your cash could provide
£10 - a hot meal for a child
£10 - a trip to the panto
£25 - winter shoes
£25 - kids' Christmas present
£40 - essentials for newborns
£40 - winter clothing
£60 - a safe place to sleep
To donate
- Send a cheque payable to Action for Children to Daily Mirror Christmas Appeal, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP
- Text MIRRTEN to 70175 to donate £10 to Action for Children, MIRRFIVE to 70175 to give £5 or MIRRTHREE to 70175 to donate £3. Action for Children will receive 100% of your donation.
- To donate but opt-out to all future communications, text MIRRTEN NO or MIRRFIVE NO or MIRRTHREE NO to 70175.
- By phone: To make a donation, call 0300 123 2112
- Online: Donate or buy a virtual gift online at www.iamsanta.org.uk/mirror
