A Guides leader and newly-appointed district commissioner has been nominated as an unsung hero.
 

Victoria Ling, 27, from West Ewell, has overseen guiding in Chessington and Hook since September and has run 4th Berrylands Guides for 10 years.
 

She started in Rainbows and gained her leadership qualification aged 18.
 

She said: “My mum and grandma are actively involved in guiding, so it was something I have always known.
 

“I have made a lot of good friends through guides.
 

“I have done things I would not necessarily have done, such as kayaking and climbing.
 

“I always enjoyed the camping side. I think that is what makes guiding.
 

“It builds confidence and it gave me a lot of opportunities to meet people. I met other friends rather than just at school.”
 

Being district commissioner means making sure activities run smoothly across her patch, but she said her role also allowed her to meet guides and rainbows she otherwise would not.
 

She said: “I look after about 10 units in Chessington and Hook, from directing girls to them putting on activities so the whole district comes together and everyone mixes.
 

“It is a brilliant organisation. It does a lot for the girls. It is still something that people want to do.”
 

In addition to her work as district commissioner and leader, Miss Ling is mentoring other leaders in qualifications allowing them to expand their work.
 

Sandra Foster, joint leader of 1st Hook Guides, said: “She is lovely and helpful, and is always busy. She supports all the units within Chessington and Hook, providing advice.
 

“She is very involved with that and covers the whole of the district.
 

“She puts a lot of time into the guiding and she does activities for her own guide unit at the same time as helping us out.”

Do you know an unsung hero? Call 020 8744 4273 or email newsdesk@surrey comet.co.uk.