ANN Crook gets paid to help people - but that is only in her daytime job.

Outside of work, she is involved in projects and fundraising that she does not get paid for but also involve helping people.

Ann is the Focus Family Community Navigator - Early Help & Partnerships Children & Families Services at Cumbria County Council.

It is a long title ("I've got a very big name tag!") but as the name suggests, she spends a lot of time with families and young people.

One of her work projects is with the Prom Frock scheme. Young girls who might be unable to attend their proms because they do not have the means to buy a dress can be nominated to get good quality and very glamorous used frocks.

Outside of work, Ann heads two projects - Period Poverty North Cumbria and Hug in a Bag.

The first began when she heard how many young women were suffering because they were not able to access period products, either from a lack of money or, sometimes, because of a controlling family.

Before lockdown there were 60 collection points around the county.

"Because of Covid and lockdowns some of these are no longer there but I would anyone who needs products to go the Period Poverty North Cumbria Facebook page," she says.

Hug in a Bag came about partially through Ann's job because she became aware of the number of young people couch surfing or being put into temporary shelters.

They get a wash bag containing everything they might need including wash products, toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant and towels.

"We are aiming at the 16 to 18 year olds who are heading to homelessness and have received grants from the Cumbria Community Foundation and CFM."

Then,when she is finished with those, the mother of two embarks on a 1,000 miles in one month cycling marathon to raise nearly £1,500 for CFM Cash for Kids.

"Through my work I know that we have benefited a lot from Cash for Kids donations so I wanted to give something back."

She is planning to do another 'Miles for Smiles' thousand miles in May this year.

All in a day's work for our person of the week this week.