A panto-loving teaching assistant who loves to organise community events and fundraisers has said she is a great believer in community spirit.

Chessington woman Amanda Williams, 47, organises fundraisers from karaoke parties to quiz nights and charity pantomimes for worthy causes in the borough.

This year the Castle Hill Primary school teacher has produced the Wizard of the Oz as part of her role within amateur theatre group St Paul’s Players.

The drama group, that chooses to support a new charity venture each year, has chosen to support the borough-based women’s refuge Hestia which protects abused women, for its charity of the year this year.

Mrs Williams said: “I just like to give something back and you get so much out of it too.

"You make so many great friends. I just do what I do, I don’t really think about it. I jump from one thing to another.

“I just try to do my best in everything and I really believe in the community.”

The Somerset Avenue resident was also the driving force behind collecting funds for a neuro-disability charity that cared for former Chessington man Mark Haley, who was punched in Hook Parade, leaving him in a coma before he died earlier this year.

Mrs Williams said: “I am quite close to his wife and when she told me what had happened I visited Mark and they did such an amazing job caring for him so it was a worthwhile cause.

“I have just been to his funeral and it really puts things into perspective.”

The mother-of-three also helps out with her local brownies and girl guides group in Chessington.

Earlier this year, she celebrated her silver wedding anniversary to husband Nick, who she married at Chessington World of Adventures in the summer of 1986.

Former unsung hero and fellow St Paul’s Player Sylvia Secret, 81, said: “Amanda is always there for everybody no matter what she has on. She is always bright and cheery and will drop anything if anybody is in trouble.

“She does an awful lot for the community such as organise charity days. Where she finds the time I really don’t know.

"When I have had to go to hospital she drops everything to come with me. She is such a good person."

On being nominated an unsung hero, Mrs Williams said: “I feel quite embarrassed because I don’t feel like I do anything amazingly different from what normal people do – but I’m obviously very proud.”

l Do you know an unsung hero? Call the newsdesk on 020 8744 4723 or email jon.sharman@london.newsquest.co.uk.