A mother and daughter keen to make a difference in their local community are aiming to launch a mental health and wellbeing support group specially for children.

Diane Starr and Kerry Carty came up with the name 'Maddie & Bear' which should be fully registered as a charitable organisation in the next few weeks.

With fundraising as their first priority, the response so far has been very encouraging. 

A table top sale with 20 stalls from cakes and sweets to cards and prints along with hair braiding, face painting, perfumes, toys, children's clothes and shoes is taking place at St Mark's Parish Hall, Bredbury, on Sunday 20 February (12-3pm).

Local businesses have donated more than 60 prizes including meal and gift vouchers for 'The Big, Big Raffle'. Tickets are already on sale (£1 per strip) and the winners will be drawn on the day.

Diane, who has worked in health and social care for 18 years caring for vulnerable children and adults, sees 'Maddie and Bear' as providing a much needed service of information and support around mental illness, health and wellbeing for children from birth to 16 years. There would also be a drop-in cafe for parents.

"The waiting list for counselling is very long, approximately two years so we are looking to fund sessions for children in the local community," she said. 

"Due to rising family poverty, parents very often don’t take their children out to fun days due to the cost. This is something that we are going to look into in our fundraising and see if we can provide local family days".

To find out more or order raffle tickets, send a message to facebook.com/maddieandbear or email maddieandbearfund@outlook.com