A man who suffered life-changing injuries after an assault has been supported by a church in Farnworth.
Farnworth Baptist Church supported Dean Matthews, aged 55 from Kearsley, one of the many people that has been supported this year.
After an assault, Dean suffered from a significant brain injury which left him on life support for 10 days followed by recovery in a rehabilitation centre for two years.
Dean managed to find work after a period of volunteering but ended up with a hernia alongside his other physical health issues.
He was deemed fit to work despite these and an advisor supported Dean to appeal against this decision which was successful. As a result, Dean was awarded an additional £390 a month.
Dean said: “I’m so happy because now I can manage my mortgage and things like that.
“I’ve not got a luxury life, but I can tide myself over now’”.
“They’ve been so supportive of me, I’m lost for words, it’s absolutely wonderful.”
During December, the church's foodbank has been giving out extra Christmas treats that has been kindly donated by local residents as part of a ‘reverse advent’ appeal.
Reverend John Bradbury the leader of Farnworth Baptist Church, expressed the church's dedication to spreading hope and joy.
He said: "Christmas is a time for giving, for reaching out to those who may be facing difficult circumstances.
“Our church is committed to being a source of comfort and support for people just like Dean.
“It’s very heartening to think of people that we have supported in different ways this year, many of them no longer having to go hungry or struggling to live day to day.
Farnworth Baptist Church is inviting residents to join their Christmas celebrations that include Christmas Carols at 6pm on Christmas Eve and a Christmas Day Family Celebration at 11am.
The church's community programs also include mental health & wellbeing support, CAP Job Club, English classes, a toddler group, and the newly opened Jeremiah CMA Debt Centre. It also runs the popular not-for-profit Well Café.
The church also has a foodbank providing essential food, debt support and mental health advice.
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