Therese Howell started a support group for children with limb difference after her son Jack was born without a hand.

Selected as one of five participants in the Vodafone World Of Difference program in 2011, she got a full-time salary and $20,000 for expenses to work with her chosen charity, Limbs 4 Life.

Ms Howell said she was a last-minute applicant to the program.

"At the time, I was working three days a week on my charity and I was at a bit of a crossroads - I needed to either get paid for it or had to go back to work."

Since May last year, Ms Howell has worked with Limbs 4 Life to establish the Australian Amputee Children and Youth Service, which works alongside medical staff and hospitals, and provides social and sporting opportunities for families with amputee children.

Ms Howell said there was no organisation that connected families like hers anywhere in the nation.

"To be able to take this year off work has saved me perhaps three years' work as a volunteer. We've produced a 30-page guidebook, the very first of its kind in Australia."

She will finish her time with the program in April and will fly to every limb clinic in Australia over the next two months to speak with surgeons, social workers, physical therapists and occupational therapists. Applications for the 2012 program close on February 17. "You need to have a passion for your charity, you need to have a good relationship with them, and you need a specific project."

Applicants must be over 18 years of age, an Australian resident and living in Australia.

Details: vodafone.com.au/personal/aboutvod afone/worldofdifference/