A MUM who is a nurse and gives up her free-time for a charity has been nominated for an award for her volunteer work.

Jasmine Crockett Paffey, 29, from Newport has a five-year-old son with autism and works in the Royal Gwent Hospital as an A&E nurse, but spends her free time volunteering for St John Cymru Wales.

When she was told she nominated she said: "It is amazing."

She has been volunteering from the age of five, when she joined a family member who was attending a local St John Cymru Wales branch, and she is now the divisional officer in charge of the Newport division.

"We are out every weekend and during the week during the summer," she said. "We are doing school fetes and large-scale play days."

She gives her free time to work at events and offer training, but also spent time in India where she taught her skills in a community with no local hospital.

"I have no idea how I do it all," she said. "I am working nights over summer holidays and balance that with being a mum and then volunteering.

"My son Luke has autism and so he just needs constant attention and supervision."

Ms Crockett Paffey has been nominated for the Volunteer of the Year Award.

She said: "I love volunteering. It gives me huge sense of achievement. It helps grow personal skills and friendship – I have made friends for life."

If you would like to nominate someone then you still have time to enter your nominations for the South Wales Argus Health and Care Awards .

If you know someone who deserves some recognition then you can nominate individuals and organisations in the 15 categories.

Nominating someone, or an organisation, in any of the categories is free and can be done by filling in the simple online form at southwalesargus.co.uk/healthandcareawards.

There are category sponsorship opportunities within this showcase event. For more information contact Cathy Parsons Head of Events on 01633 777126 or 07977967777