LITTLE Sammy Forrest, fighting a life and death battle with meningitis, has touched people's hearts.

Caring work colleagues of her mum and dad, Sharon and Phil, have rallied round with collections to help the family of the critically ill three-year-old.

At Express Gifts, Church, where Sharon is a temporary seasonal employee, colleagues collected £375 in only a couple of days.

And the company has matched the amount, boosting the total to £750.

Staff called at the family home in Central Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, yesterday to give a cheque to Sharon's mum Vera Herdman and £100 cash for immediate needs. An overwhelmed Mrs Herdman said: "I just started crying. It's so very good of them. It's really appreciated and I would like to thank everyone.

"Sharon is only there temporarily up to Christmas and it's unbelievable the company doubled it."

Meanwhile collections are underway at the Blackburn head office of Ciceley Commercials, where Phil is workshop foreman in the service department, and at the company's Bolton branch.

The couple's first concern is Sammy and they have not left her bedside at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

But they have two other children, Christmas coming up, bills piling up at home, and cafeteria expenses during their round-the-clock vigil.

Mrs Herdman said: "It's one less thing to worry about.

"Sharon had to tell the other two children not to expect too much at Christmas, just a couple of toys.

"Hopefully if Sammy gets through this they are going to get their Christmas".

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