Next year’s Banstead May Queen visited The Children’s Trust in Tadworth to find out about their work with children who have brain injuries.

Ruby Doohan, who will become May Queen on May 5, 2018, took part in a play therapy session ahead of making the trust her charity of the year.

She said: “I really loved visiting The Children’s Trust today and catching bubbles on the stick for Elora to pop. The centre is amazing, and I especially loved the sensory tree house and enjoyed the sensory version of the story, The Hungry Caterpillar. We look forward to raising lots of money for them.”

Starting in 1985, the Banstead May Queen annual event has raised just under £150,000 for charity.

On average around 30 groups join in the parade along Banstead High Street, put on entertainment and raise money for good causes.

Ruby, who is nine years old and attends St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, will be crowned on May 5.

Last year’s event was record-breaking, raising about £11,000 for Rett UK.

Johdi Avent, community fundraising manager of The Children’s Trust, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to Ruby and the Banstead May Queen Group for choosing to support The Children’s Trust this year, and for visiting our specialist centre to see the work we do.

“Their commitment is greatly appreciated. It’s thanks to the help of our fantastic supporters that we are able to continue to offer support to the 40,000 children and families affected by brain injury across the UK each year.”