CARING for a disabled child who commands endless attention can often leave parents feeling exhausted and with little spare time to use constructively.

A St Albans volunteer has selflessly sacrificed a few hours a month to alleviate one family's load by looking after their child, who has Downs Syndrome.

Marie-Luis Simmons, of Oxford Avenue, is one of Hertfordshire's shared carers who provide short breaks for 150 children with physical or learning disabilities across the county.

The 72-year-old pensioner, who should be enjoying her retirement, qualified as a carer last June and has since allocated 12 hours every month to spending time with nine-year-old Peter Errington.

Befriending Peter has given his family, who live in Princess Diana Drive, St Albans, time to engage in activities with their other son, James, whose needs would often come second to his handicapped brother's.

But time spent with the Fleetville School pupil has proved life-changing for Marie, who insists she would not be without her voluntary role.

She said: "I go to Peter's house on a Tuesday after school and we spend two hours together doing his homework as it has to be handed in every wednesday.

"With the time that's left we play games, we sing songs and we watch TV.

"Peter's greatest delight is to act so we do role plays together where we act out a story together or something that he has just read.

"Peter has taken to me like a duck to water and I have taken to him. He's a very open and a loving child and I just enjoy my time with him.

"Last autumn, there was football for handicapped children - I took him several times and at the end of the hour the parents had to play against the children. Peter got me to run around on a football pitch for the first time, aged 72, but I enjoyed it."

Marie, who has two sons but so far has not been blessed with grandchildren, added: "I'm a bit like a granny replacement - I feel a bit like that.

"When I'm not with Peter or when I go away on holiday I think what card shall I get him, what will I write on it, what present shall I get him - it's the way you think about your grandchildren and the little things you want to do for them.

"He has added so much interest to my life. There would be a gap in my life if I didn't have Peter, I so look forward to our sessions together.

"I get a lot out of it and I just love certain things he says.

"I come home so full of pleasure and it's very rewarding.

"Also for his mother it's 12 hours a month when she doesn't have to worry if Peter is happy; she can do things with her other son and things around the house."

Marie's help is valued by Peter's parents, Helen and Simon, who say they appreciate every hour Marie spends with their son. It allows them the break they often need and time alone to bond with their 11-year-old son - an opportunity often hampered in the past by Peter's constant demands.

Helen said: "Peter gets one-to-one attention most of the time, simply because he's very lively, inquisitive and demanding of attention. If Marie is working with Peter doing his homework then we can give our other son a bit of attention.

"Peter's homework is very stressful and it's fantastic Marie does that with him. We can then do something with James that we wouldn't normally be able to take Peter to - that's really where it benefits us.

"If we didn't have Marie it would be constant juggling and feeling guilty that because Peter demands our attention we just tell the other one to get on with it.

"Having that exra pair of hands means we don't have to shunt our other child off to friends.

"Before James was being pushed out of the frame - he always will be to some extent - now if he wants to go and do something we can say 'that's fine we will have Marie look after Peter so we can do that with you."

There are currently 32 autistic children under the age of ten across Hertfordhire whose families require a shared carer's support and assistance.

Marie gained some experience of working with handicapped children before applying to be a shared carer by voluntarily lending a hand in a school for disabled children.

But Jane Pitman, lead member for Hertfordshire children's services, insists volunteers can come from all walks of life and experience is not a necessity as full training is given.

For more information on becoming a shared carer log onto www.hertsdirect.org/sharedcare or contact the Family Placement team on 0800 917 0925.