A girl who devotes her time to helping disabled people connect with animals and horses is in the running for a community hero award.

Charlotte Phillips, 18, from Bushey was nominated for the award by her mother not only for her weekend charity work but for the kindness she displays to others and animals.

Charlotte began volunteering with disabled children at Riding for the Disabled Association in 2014 as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award and helped provide the youngsters with therapy through horse riding.

Miss Phillips said: “I had to do volunteer work for three months and because of the love I have for animals and helping people I decided this would be the best place for me to do it.”

Charlotte has volunteered for many RDA competitions and aided the charity with helping people with physical and learning disabilities and autism.

She added: “This charity is so important to me because of the amazing work they do helping all kinds of people with a variety of disabilities.

“Watching these people communicate with the horses in a way that some of them can’t do with humans is just beautiful and so rewarding.”

Charlotte’s love for animals also means she takes attentive care of the horses to make sure they’re suitable and well behaved for disabled clients.

Miss Phillips said: “Its such a wonderful and peaceful place for them to come and riding the horses gives them back their freedom, which is particularly important for those who spend the majority of their life in a wheelchair.”

Due to her passion for animal welfare Charlotte not only cares for the wild life in her own garden but offers to help animals for Park Veterinary Centre in Cassiobury and Blythwood vets.

When told about her nomination she said: “Being nominated for this award really means a lot to me.

“I’m so passionate about the welfare of animals as well as other human beings and the reason I help them and fight for their equality is because I truly want to.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d be nominated for an award for doing something that is just second nature to me. I’m so grateful.”

The Watford Observer community hero award offers the chance for people in the community to nominate those who do acts of good will. Those who are nominated are awarded by Watford businesses.

If you would like to nominate someone, email daisy.smith@newsquest.co.uk