A mum-of-three who has raised thousands of pounds for a local charity has been nominated as an unsung hero.

Sarah Gault, 41, from Long Ditton, has organised a balloon release and a sponsored walk on behalf of Yorda Adventures, which provides play projects for children and young people with severe learning disabilities.

She has even commandeered husband Adam’s photography studio for fundraising fairs.

She said she was “very flattered” to be nominated. She said: “I have always supported Yorda – I just felt I had something to offer. It’s just using your contacts.

“The biggest thing with Yorda is making sure people know about them.”

Sarah, whose eldest daughter Poppy, 12, is severely mentally and physically disabled, said she was inspired by Laura Smyth, who runs Yorda Adventures.

She said: “She used to come round when Poppy was a baby and helped me with her. “To be honest she was the person who provided that impetus and her energy rubbed off on me.

"I just kind of got caught up with it.”

Over time organising fundraising events and looking after Poppy meant Sarah had to take some time off on her doctor’s advice.

She said: “I have had my own health problems from exhaustion. Not long after one of the Christmas ones I started having blackouts.

“He told me to eliminate stress and tiredness from my life. I’m starting to think about it again now because I’m feeling a lot stronger.”

In one year, Sarah raised more than £10,000 for the charity.

Laura Smyth, general manager of Yorda Adventures, said Sarah was “selfless”. She said: “She just rallied everyone behind us and ran her own events.

“She will do anything that she can for us. She is so passionate about us that she tells everyone about us.

“Despite all the stuff she has to go through with her own daughter she never stops – she’s always up against it but finds the energy to carry on.”

l Do you know an unsung hero? Call 020 8744 4273 or email newsdesk@surrey comet.co.uk.