A SCHEME which has given a woman from Latchford a lifeline is in need of new volunteers.

Ann Litherland was left grief-stricken when her sister Margaret, who she had been inseparable from and had lived with for 70 years, died from lung cancer.

With no other family Ann became isolated, lost all confidence and sunk into a depression.

But thanks to the John Holt Cancer Support Foundation the 73-year-old was introduced to the Little Buds befriending scheme run in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.

The scheme matches those in need of support with volunteers of similar age and background and helped to fill the hole left by her sister’s death.

Ann was paired with Dorf Grimshaw, aged 56, from Penketh.

She visited Ann weekly and took her out to activities she enjoyed, including visiting garden centres or shopping.

Gradually Ann’s confidence returned and she is now a volunteer herself at the John Holt Cancer Support Centre in Warrington.

Ann said: “I felt completely lost when Margaret died. It happened so suddenly, within three weeks she was gone.

“Then I had to arrange her funeral all on my own. It wasn’t until after the funeral that it really hit me. I thought, that’s it. I’m all on my own. and I became very depressed.”

Dorf said: “When I first met Ann she was very, very shy and didn’t do anything very much, or go anywhere on her own. But in the past 12 months I’ve seen a huge change in her. Her confidence has grown, she’ll get on the buses now and takes part in a craft group at the John Holt centre.”

n To find out more on the scheme contact Chris or Mabel on 240054 or e-mail jhcsf.office@btconnect.com.