A WOMAN born with spina bifida has been chosen as a community champion for a charity promoting the rights of disabled people.
Ann Marden, aged 64, has been chosen by Dial South and Dial North Worcester-shire to work towards be-coming an advice volunteer on disability issues.
She intends to use her ex-perience of her condition, which is a fault in the development of the spine and spinal cord that leaves a gap in the spine, to help others with disabilities.
Miss Marden, who lives in the Worcester Community Housing complex in St Cle-ments Gardens, St John’s, said: “We can do our own thing in the group or soc-ialise, we can read, do crosswords together and play games.
“We have tea, biscuits and lunch. I help with the arts and crafts and we make cards to sell to raise funds.”
She added: “Being disabled I know just how isolating and difficult life can be and  I was  really keen to keep the group going and try to give something back into the community.
“We all go home from the group feeling happy, and it has made me feel good to know that I have achieved something.”
Miss Marden has already organised weekly activities and excursions, including shopping trips, meals out and seaside trips.
The charity is an independent, free, impartial and confidential information, advice and welfare benefit service for disabled people, their families, carers, fri-ends and relevant professionals.
Their partnership, which also includes the five Citizens Advice Bureaux in the county, was able to recruit seven volunteer development workers to search for people like Miss Marden, thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Advice Services Transition Fund.
For more information, call 01905 27790.