A CARER is planning to lose pounds to make pounds to pay for a new wheelchair for a man suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS).

A sponsored slim is just one of the fund-raisers planned by Christine Baldwin, who cares for MS sufferer Graham Phillips.

Mrs Baldwin is also hoping to get local children to do a sponsored silence, and has arranged a fund-raising night of entertainment at a pub in her bid to raise £5,000.

Mrs Baldwin, from Dunoon Drive in Blackburn, has been a part time carer for 51-year-old Mr Phillips, from Accrington, for five years.

She and three other carers provide 24-hour care for him at his house in Birkett Road.

The mum-of-one said: "Graham's had MS for about 25 years now, and since I've been looking after him his condition has deteriorated quite a lot so that he's now completely paralysed from the neck down.

"Last month I saw an article on this new specialist wheelchair and it looked ideal for him. It lifts the user's legs automatically and other features which would really help, at the moment he only has a normal wheelchair.

"But then I found out it cost £5,000, so I started thinking of some ways to raise the cash.

"Graham's such a lovely man, we've always got on well. Despite his condition, he's really lively and fun and I wanted to do something to help him."

Mrs Baldwin has persuaded her sister Julie Macari, her daughter Kelly Anne Baldwin and Kelly Anne's friend Sarah Brown, both aged 19, to join her on a sponsored slim.

"We're all going to try to lose about a stone within three months," said Mrs Baldwin, who has been a carer for seven years, having worked at Hazeldene Care Home in Clayton-le-Dale previously.

"I'm also going to arrange a sponsored silence for my nieces and nephews, and the children that live on my street, and I've organised a fund-raiser to be held at the Peel Park Hotel in Accrington on February 16.

"There will be karaoke and disco, a raffle and food, and the pub are allowing me to use the premises for free which is great."

Mrs Baldwin, 48, added: "All donations are welcome, and any extra money we raise will go to MS charities."

Mr Phillips said: "I think it's a great idea, if we get enough for the chair, then it will really benefit me so much.

"It's really good of Christine to do this for me."

To make a donation or to buy tickets to the evening at the Peel Park Hotel in Turkey Street, which cost £10, call Christine on 01254 725053.

Tickets are also available on the door.