A volunteer who called vulnerable people during the first national lockdown has won an award.

Sylive Leslie, 42, from Watford spent her spare time during the pandemic volunteering for the Watford and Three Rivers Trust.

When the first lockdown was announced in March, Sylvie was added to the Government furlough scheme.

She was diagnosed also in 2017 with a skull based Chordoma - a very rare and incurable type of bone cancer that occurs in the bones of the skull base.

She has been working on fundraising project called National Chordoma Day which aims to create awareness and raise funds for research. But this project was postponed to 2021.

As a result Sylvie said she found herself at a "loose end" and in need to offer her support.

Sylvie said she was told by a friend about the Watford and Three Rivers Trust, a registered charity working with the NHS, was looking for volunteers to help out during the pandemic.

She said she jumped at the opportunity to give back to the community and the NHS.

She added: "I have experienced first hand the dedication and hard work provided by the NHS staff and wanted to find a way to show my appreciation by donating my time."

She took on the role as a telephone welfare volunteer she then spent lockdown keeping touch with vulnerable people by making a call every week to check how they’re managing during the Government restrictions and to identify any issues they may have.

She added: "It has been so rewarding to hear how much people need to appreciate having someone to talk to, and even though my daily life can be sometimes challenging to my health issues, this has not dampened my enthusiasm.

"I always make it my mission to bring a touch of humour and positivity in all my communications."

Sylvie is now working remotely but has chosen to carry on with her volunteer role.

As a result of her charity work, she has won the Watford Observer Volunteer Award, which gives recognition to unsung heroes in the community.

She added: "I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity to help. It has been humbling to win the Volunteer Award and being recognised and appreciated for my little contribution."