Children's charity near Morecambe remains open despite flooding

A Breath for Life in Middleton, which offers support for children with profound neurological problems, has been plagued by flooding issues for some time and has now sought advice from a civil engineer as the amount of water was so excessive.

Honorary chairman Jane Dean said: "There is a very high water table, which is accepted and a contributing problem. Those who live in Middleton will be all too aware of flooding on Middleton Road which they have to navigate on a regular basis and will be sympathetic to our plight.

"After contacting both Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council, we have finally received assurances that surface water drains will be repaired and ditches cleared.

"It is something of a mystery why so many drainage pipes have been fractured but after the Highway Engineers employed a Vactor machine last week, a myriad of problems were uncovered.

"Also at the corner of Middleton Road and Borrans Lane, there are so many pipes criss-crossing one another that the council engineer described it as 'spaghetti junction'!"

Jane said thanks to the hard work of the charity's volunteers, they were able to remain open.

She said: "With true Dunkirk spirit the chamber operators managed to keep the doors open, working in wellingtons and assisting everyone to the entrance.

"They are an amazing team and our patients were all incredibly grateful that we managed to continue oxygen sessions."

The water drainage problem has to be solved before the charity can hope to build an extension. They are in urgent need of more funds as reserves are being used to keep afloat.

Last year the charity launched a £5 donation scheme, which is still open online here.

For those who have no online access, please send £5 donations to A Breath for Life, Borrans Lane, Middleton, Morecambe, LA3 3JJ.

The more £5s they receive, the more oxygen sessions they will be able to provide.