A young volunteer who made a valuable contribution to a Suffolk charity is to have an awards scheme and training facility named in her honour.

The Befriending Scheme, based in Sudbury, helps more than 450 adults with learning difficulties across the county, thanks to a team of around 300 volunteers.

A particularly valued member of the team was Sophie Bavington, who died in 2012, aged 23.

The Befriending Scheme has recently moved into new premises on The Croft, and as a tribute to Sophie’s contribution, a new training room – which will provide vital life skills courses for the charity’s members – will be dedicated to her.

Sophie, from Great Cornard, was the daughter of parish and district councillor Tony Bavington.

Along with his wife, Carmel, he will attend an unveiling ceremony this Friday and help pick the recipient of the first Sophie Bavington Young Volunteer of the Year Award out of five young people who have been nominated.

Shirley Moore, Befriending Scheme chief executive and founder, said: “Sophie was a volunteer in Sudbury, helping out at the local Hub group on Thursdays.

“She also assisted at fundraising events and very much enjoyed being part of the charity.

“She was a magnificent volunteer who took her role very seriously – we wanted to remember Sophie in this special way.”