STUDENT Sarah Munro has acquired a new buddy in Charlotte Kemp.
Charlotte, 17, a volunteer at the Darlington branch of Barnardo's, is taking part in the charity's buddy system.
Sarah, 16, is a special needs pupil at Beaumont Hill School, in Darlington, and needed somebody of her own age to take her out and about.
In stepped Charlotte, a student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, who has taken her new friend to the cinema, Burger King and other places in the town over the last couple of months.
Charlotte, who is working towards her Duke of Edinburgh gold award, said: "Her mum says Sarah has come out of her shell since I've been working with her.
"When I first met her she was very shy, but she's much more confident now. She uses the telephone, answers the door and chats non-stop.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article