A charity worker was praised for her 'tireless' work supporting families in Hexham and the North East.

Katherine Miller, from Hexham, helped found Tanga five years ago and was nominated Person of the Week for helping 'hundreds' of families in the area.

Katherine, who is Tanga's CEO, also works for the Hextol Foundation as the charity's fundraising manager.

She and several other parents established Tanga, which is based at the Torch Centre in Hexham, because there was not much social provision for children with additional needs.

Katherine needed a safe space to take her then 12-year-old son Dan, who is autistic, and also her younger daughter, Poppy, who is not.

Tanga is based at the Torch Centre in HexhamTanga is based at the Torch Centre in Hexham (Image: Google Maps)

"There wasn't anywhere I could take them and they were both entertained. I didn't find much out there for support for people either. I already ran a small support group on Facebook [Tynedale & NE Autism Support] and I didn't think [Tanga] would ever end up how it has, but five years on it's really popular now," she said.

Reader Zoe Keen said: "Kath is the most amazing woman I have ever met, she has helped so many families in so many ways, nothing is too much for her even when she has her own problems going on."

Laura Greene also said: "She has helped so many families including mine. She works so hard and I want her to know how appreciated she is."

Sarah Martin commented: "Kath has worked tirelessly for hundreds of families in Hexham and the North East. After her own family's struggles trying to find support, she set up and continues to run the Tynedale & NE Autism Support Facebook group, and continues to split her time working for Tanga and Hexham-based charity, Hextol Foundation."

Katherine said: "The best thing I ever hear people say is this is everything to them, their kids have got friendship groups, they've got support as families and have somewhere to turn, and ensuring no one encounters the same problems that I did.

"Anyone that would like to do fundraising for us would be appreciated. We've got more than 500 members now and it costs a lot of money to keep running," Katherine added.

Katherine recommended joining the Tanga@Torch Facebook group to keep up to date with events or email info@tangafamily.co.uk.