A WOMAN who has disability problems of her own wants to raise money for needy children with a sponsored walk.

Deborah Cottrill will raise money and food supplies for Blackburn Foodbank with a walk around Witton Park’s race track in Blackburn.

Deborah, who has Down’s Syndrome, decided she wanted to do something to help people less fortunate than herself and, with the aid of her carers, Linda and Robert Ashworth, has organised the walk for tomorrow at 10am.

Deborah, 42, who lives in Blackburn, said: “I’ve seen poor children on TV and in the paper. I want to help the people who have no food and no water because it makes me feel sad.”

Mrs Ashworth, who has cared for Deborah through the Shared Lives Scheme, a project which provides family-based ways of supporting adults, for 22 years, said: “Debs is always kind and she cares about people so much.

“She is very aware there are lots of people less fortunate than she is and wanted to do something to help them.

“At first, we weren’t sure what she could do but Robert and I talked about it with her and we decided she could get sponsorship to go once around the track.”

Deborah said: “I am looking forward to walking tomorrow for the food bank. We have already collected lots of food.”

So far, Deborah has raised £160 as well as numerous food parcels which will all be donated to the Blackburn Foodbank in Brunswick Street.

Mrs Ashworth said: “It is shocking that, in this day and age, that there are people needing foodbanks.

“I always believe that you should give back as much as you can - you never know when it might be your turn.”

To support Deborah, she asks that you make a donation to the foodbank this weekend in her name.

Ros Duerden from the Blackburn Foodbank said: “I think what Deborah is doing is wonderful.”

Your local foodbank, and how to donate

THERE are many foodbanks across Lancashire and all need non-perishable, in-date food.

  • Blackburn Foodbank: Take your food donations to the Distribution Centre, Unit 5, Brunswick Street, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 11am to 2pm. Or call 07594 215356 to arrange for donations to be collected.
  • Clitheroe Foodbank: There are collection baskets in Skipton Building Society, Natwest and Barclays Bank, all Clitheroe churches and Clitheroe Mount. Or drop off donations at Trinity Methodist Church, Parson Lane, Clitheroe, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11am to 1.30pm.
  • Community Solutions Foodbank: St James’ Old School, Cannon Street, Accrington, or call 01254 352591 to arrange a drop-off in Burnley.
  • Darwen Food Larder: TheFood Larder has collection points in town and local churches or drop off donations at the Darwen Community Furniture Project, Unit F, Watery Lane Works, Darwen, 9am to 5pm.
  • The Raft Foundation: Drop off in many Rossendale shops, Haslingden Tesco, churches and schools. To arrange to drop off non-perishable donations or to give money for fresh food, go to www.raftfoundation.org, or email info@raftfoundation.org
  • St Philip’s Grassroots Centre in Nelson: Monday morning, 01282 877640.