A children’s nurse at Kingston Hospital was told she would never make it in the profession because she had severe dyslexia.

But Charlotte Creamer, 23, from Teddington, made it through her qualification course and has worked on the Sunshine ward since the spring.

She said: “In my second year of university I found out I had severe dyslexia. My weakness was exams. My teacher told me that I had set myself up to fail.

“It has been a dream for my whole life. My auntie is disabled and I have always been brought up around people with special needs and disabilities.

“I don’t really want to sit in an office – I like to do active things.”

A keen canoeist, Miss Creamer once paddled 125 miles non-stop in her kayak to raise money for her old ward at Stoke Mandeville hospital.

She put the cash towards new toys for the children on ward three.

She said: “When they are poorly you can make such a difference to their experience of hospital. You have just got to give them the best you can.”

Head of paediatric nursing, Maggie Clancy, said: “You can see she loves the children and she is very good with children.

“She is very good fun.

“Charlotte will make a real effort to play and find things to do with them, and talk to them.

“I think it is difficult for newly qualified nurses – it is a busy ward.

“She fits into the team really well.”

The mother who nominated Ms Creamer told the hospital: “I observed Charlotte working on the paediatric ward while my daughter was being treated there.

“I was touched by the way Charlotte cared for a young boy who was also on my daughter’s bay.

“She is kind and thoughtful and totally natural with a boy who was unable to communicate through speech.

“Charlotte chats to him, sings songs and engages in jokes and games with him. She is a wonderful young nurse.”

Do you know an unsung hero? Call the newsdesk on 020 8744 4723 or email jon.sharman@london.newsquest.co.uk.