A CARE home in Bamber Bridge is going quackers to raise money for a new bath and shower room for its residents.

Sue Ryder Care at Cuerden Hall, Shady Lane, has launched an appeal to raise £3,000 needed to renovate an old bathroom.

More than 3,000 cuddly toy ducks have been 'ducknapped' by the organisation's fundraiser Cath Harding, who is promising to release the ducks in groups of 12 if £1 is paid for each bird.

She has written to schools across Preston and South Ribble asking children to help 'free' the ducks, and she is now calling on kind-hearted Citizen readers to dig deep for the Cuerden Quacker Appeal.

The hall provides 24 hour residential, respite and day care facilities for young adults with life-threatening neurological conditions such as Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, acquired brain injuries and stroke.

There is space for 37 permanent residents, and day care and respite care can be provided for five people each day.

The home already has the £1,750 for a shower trolley, which would make it easier for nurses to bathe residents who often have problems moving, but £3,000 is needed to adapt a bathroom where the trolley could fit.

"Getting the bathroom adapted for the shower trolley would make such a difference to the lives of the residents and the nursing staff," said Mrs Harding.

"For every pound I will release one of these lovely ducks."

Sue Ryder Care is a national organisation with 18 care homes across the UK. The cost of running Cuerden Hall each year is £1.25 million, of which £250,000 has to be raised locally.

If you want to set 'free' some ducks and help renovate the bathroom call 01772 627374.