A DETERMINED campaigner, who has around 30 years experience of living with relatives with ADHD, has issued a heartfelt plea to the council to provide more support for those with the condition and their families.

Jean Fitzpatrick, from Chapelford, has spoken out over the limited services in the town.

She now hopes the council will listen to her calls for a wider provision in Warrington which will help prevent those with ADHD from falling through the net.

The 59-year-old, who is a volunteer and member of the Parent Advisory Board at the ADHD Foundation in Liverpool, said: "Warrington just needs more support for those with ADHD.

"There's the Child Development Centre on Sandy Lane in Orford with two ADHD specialist nurses but that's about it and it's not enough."

There are more than 500 families in Warrington with ADHD and many more without a diagnosis.

The grandmother of one knows only too well the importance of getting help at the earliest opportunity.

"My son Paul was not diagnosed until much later. It eventually came to light that he had ADHD when he was around 13 or 14.

"If I'd known then what I know now he would have been diagnosed a lot sooner. It would have made a huge difference."

Her first grandchild, Marcus, was diagnosed with the condition, aged six.

It is due to the support from the ADHD Foundation that he is now settling into school - something he had been struggling to do prior to his diagnosis.

Jean, whose dedication to raising awareness of the condition has not gone unnoticed, was recognised at the ADHD Foundation Annual Awards.

The mum of two said: “I feel extremely humbled to receive this award, as I didn't come into this for any reward, I just wanted to help other families.

"I knew there were a lot of families struggling in my area and I felt compelled to help. There is very little in the way of support services for families with ADHD, I want to help change that."

A council spokesman said it is working towards a new integrated service for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

"At the heart of this new service will be a drive to work in partnership with families, so we can understand the needs of families and any gaps in current provision.”

For more information visit adhdfoundation.org.uk