A FAMOUS face from the fashion world visited a North Somerset animal charity to launch a national initiative.

TV star Gok Wan went along to Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary in Barrow Gurney where he met staff and volunteers at the charity.

The visit was organised to launch the Vodafone World of Difference Programme, which is offering 500 people the chance to work for a charity of their choice for two months and be paid for it.

During his visit, Gok met one of last year’s winners, Samantha Chapman from Flax Bourton, who has been working at Holly Hedge.

Samantha said: “Working at the charity was a life-changing experience.

“It really gave me confidence to apply for jobs where I could make a difference and it was an incredible environment to learn skills which I can use in other opportunities in the future.”

Gok, the ambassador for the Vodafone programme, said: “It’s amazing - eight out of ten of these who took part in the last programme planned to continue their work with their chosen charity.”

* For more details on the 2011 scheme visit www.vodafone.co.uk/worldofdifference