Moira is a mum on a mission to help

Moira Fields with her son, Isaac

A MUM who made it her mission to provide a support group for youngsters with Down’s Syndrome has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Described as true inspiration, Moira Fields, from Delph, started the DS West Pennine support group in March last year — after her experiences with her three-year-old son, Isaac.

Blossoming from just a small handful of locals, the group now provides a much-needed service for over 40 families.

Janet Pakeman, whose 10-year-old daughter Ellie Rose attends the sessions, nominated 39-year-old Moira.

She said: “Moira went that extra mile and made it happen — that takes a really special person.

“She not only thinks about her own son’s future, she thinks about every single family.

“When you have a child with disabilities you always worry about the future, but having that family there is a massive support.”

In only 18 months, the group has grown, become a registered charity and earned a BIG lottery grant to allow it to provide specialist speech-therapy sessions for the youngsters.

The whole project has gone far beyond what Moira could ever have imagined when she first aimed to provide a service she thought was lacking locally.

Other families agreed, and now travel from Rochdale, Bury and Rossendale to attend monthly sessions.

A humble Moira said: “I just feel so honoured and privileged to be nominated.

“My inspiration has been Isaac, if I hadn’t have had him I wouldn’t have gone down this path and met all these people.

“Parents do find it invaluable, not only it being local but having someone to relate to.”


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