A MOTHER who juggled a marriage, children with learning difficulties and a family business with support from a Herefordshire charity has now given her support to them.

Melissa Portman-Lewis, a director of a car parts supplier in Hereford, was a mum of four 12 years ago, with her two youngest children having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.

While also going through marriage difficulties, Mrs Portman-Lewis reached out to Home-Start Herefordshire, which helps families with one-to-one guidance and support.

In her case, the initial meeting came in the form of Barbara Stevens, one of the charity’s trained volunteers.

“All I remember was that Barbara was so kind and gentle and helped support me from that point on, introducing me to a volunteer, securing me some respite and signposting me to other services,” Mrs Portman-Lewis said.

“I cannot speak more highly of the support I was given from Home-Start Herefordshire.”

Now in 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic, she has given back in the form of food parcels for the most vulnerable families that Home-Start Herefordshire currently supports.

TM Factors has raised more than £3,000 to support food banks in the county, with 525 food parcels handed out.

“I have been overwhelmed by the kindness shown by local people and the motor trade, I’m just trying to do my bit in this lockdown situation we find ourselves in at the moment, and I hold HSH very close to my heart,” she added.

Mrs Portman-Lewis has also donated parcels of food and amenities for a few families which the charity supports.

The charity’s scheme manager Mandie Preece said: “We are united together in this common goal. We would like to say a big 'thank you' to Melissa and TM Factors for their generous donations and fundraising activities.

“It has enabled the distribution of a number food parcels and care packages for families who are self isolating, unwell or facing financial hardship due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.”