OUR charity of the month for September is The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) near Lymm, which gives youngsters with terminal illnesses or disabilities a chance to have the same holiday experiences as normal kids. This week reporter Chloe Laversuch finds out more about the staff who have the job of making sick children smile again.

NOT many people discover their dream career while taking part in a skydive but for Stuart Wilkson it was fate.

After meeting up with a CAFT staff member at the jump, Stuart was inspired to change his career path and now puts his art skills to good use helping children at the centre.

And he is not alone in being inspired by the sick and disadvantaged youngsters who arrive at the farm for their first, and sometimes their last, holiday.

Annie Hughes helped out at the charity while she was still a student and loved it so much she wanted to stay. She said: “Providing these children with a holiday they’ll hopefully never forget is my dream job.

“They have new experiences and do things they never thought they would do and families are able to enjoy their time together for once. It is the best thing about my job. CAFT makes holidays happen for those who might never get a break, it’s a very, very special place.”

The charity also has a team of dedicated volunteers who donate their money or time to make sure children know there is more to life than trips to the hospital or troubled times at home or school.

And Helen Hampson is certainly dedicated to her job, as she said: "I feel very lucky to be part of such an amazing organisation.

"I enjoy any opportunity to dress up which I get to do lots at CAFT. Halloween is my favourite, followed by being an Elf for 5 weeks at Christmas.”

As one of the team’s newest support workers, Caroline Whittaker, said: “The biggest and best part of my job at CAFT is making a child smile.”

To find out how you can help visit caft.co.uk.