A mother and full-time career has been recognised for dedication to the deafblind community.

Lesley Rogers, 50, lives in Stanmore and has been shortlisted in the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ category at the Sense charity’s annual awards ceremony.

Sense is a charity for deafblind people, or those who have sensory impairments or complex needs.

Ms Jones was shortlisted for her campaigning work for better access to play opportunities for children with disabilities.

A mother of two, her youngest child Ruby, is eight years old and has CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic condition that left her deafblind and with multiple needs.

Ms Rogers said: “I was more than happy to get involved in the Inquiry and help raise awareness of the barriers families like ours face accessing play opportunities.

"It’s a huge honour to be recognised for my contribution to the campaign and I’m absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for a Sense Award.”

She also volunteered to co-chair Sense’s public inquiry into the barriers disabled children face when accessing mainstream play areas.

Lord David Blunkett will join her to investigate this inquiry.

The charity’s inquiry found that play was vital for children’s learning and development, as more than 90 per cent of parents did not think their children had the same opportunities to play as those without disabilities.

Hal of parents also said their children had been turned away from play areas.

The Sense Awards ceremony will take place on November 10 at the Southbank Centre.