PEOPLE in Leigh and Wigan are being asked to give a little time to make a big difference to the lives of disabled children and their families.

Wigan social services' Family Network team is taking part in a national campaign to recruit "All Kinds of People" as carers to support the 5,000 families of disabled children who need a break.

The campaign, co-ordinated by the charity Shared Care Network, seeks to recruit people of all ages and backgrounds to look after disabled children for short periods.

Carers are ordinary people who look after a child for anything from a few hours to a weekend a month.

They are required to involve the children in ordinary activities such as walks, shopping and feeding the ducks. Carers do not need any experience as they receive full training and support.

Sue Mennear, development worker at Shared Care Network, said: "We are not looking for saints of wonder people. This is something that many people can do. It is not a huge time commitment and it makes a big difference to the families of disabled children."

For more information, call Family Network on 01942 517173.