Community Mum of the Year 2009, Dorothy Higgins

Dorothy Higgins, 42, from Faversham, Kent has been named Tesco magazine's 'Community Mum of the Year 2009'

In 2007, Dorothy set up Family Activities for the Disabled in Swale (FADS) which now gives 126 families in her area the chance to enjoy days out.

Dorothy's efforts to raise money for trips are endless and without her, the charity would cease to exist.

Dorothy was nominated by her son, Alistair, 14, who told us, 'My mum deserves the award for everything she does for FADS and for the time she spends helping others in our area.'

Self-starter

When Dorothy's daughter Joanna, now 8, was born with spina bifida and a rare genetic disorder DiGeorge syndrome, she found there wasn't enough support in her community for families with disabled children.

She told us, 'It occurred to me that more needed to be done and I thought – if no one else is going to do it, I'll do it myself.' So in conjunction with her local carers' centre, and a good friend Maria, she set up FADS. It started out helping 23 families but such is her enthusiasm that help now goes to a staggering 126.

Funds for FADS

A real doer, Dorothy relentlessly seeks grants and funding for FADS, organising lunch events, raffles and themed evenings to raise money for trips. With the money raised, they have organised barbecues and art workshops, plus outings to theme parks, theatres and firework displays. She says, 'We give families a chance to do things they'd never be able to otherwise.'

Dorothy says FADS also gives parents a respite, and adds, 'The divorce rate is higher in those marriages with disabled children so we encourage families to spend quality time together.'

Community spirit

A true champ in her community, it was Dorothy's idea to organise her neighbourhood's first fundraising event eight years ago and, in order to keep kids off the streets, she helped set up the area's first youth club.

Dorothy is also on the board for the Kent Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Association, is chairperson for her resident's group and supports other carers in her area by highlighting the fantastic work they do. And her tireless efforts to raise awareness of other causes in need has inspired many others in her community to do the same.

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Dorothy Higgins – Tesco magazine's Community Mum of the Year 2009

Dorothy Higgins – Tesco magazine's Community Mum of the Year 2009

My mum deserves the award for everything she does for FADS and for the time she spends helping others
in our area

Alistair Higgins, 14

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