A Wirral charity supporting children with cerebral palsy has taken on an employee of the John Lewis Partnership for six months as part of the retail giant’s Golden Jubilee Trust.

Established in 2000, the trust funds the donation of time and skills of John Lewis Partners via placements in around 50 charities per year.

Kate Duffy, who lives on Wirral and has worked for John Lewis for the last six years, applied to take part in the scheme at the beginning of the year.

Having worked in the electricals department of the John Lewis Liverpool store, she was familiar with the work of Stick ‘n’ Step as a result of the store’s support for the charity and she was inspired to do more having volunteered at a couple of fundraising events.

Having gone through a long selection process, she was thrilled to learn she had been successful in her application.

She is now working at Stick ‘n’ Step until the end of the year, when she will return to her role at John Lewis.

Working across the charity’s two centres in Wallasey and Runcorn, Kate’s wide-ranging role will include community outreach for the new Early Intervention Programme and developing resources to support parents whose children attend Stick ‘n’ Step.

Kate said; "I have always been aware of the multiple challenges people with cerebral palsy face as one of my closest childhood friends has cerebral palsy. When the opportunity arose to apply for the Golden Jubilee Trust, choosing a charity to go and work for was easy as I have long been an admirer of Stick ‘n’ Step.

"I'm keen to use my experience and skills to make a tangible difference to the charity over the next six months."

Acting CEO Sarah Smithson said: "As soon as we met Kate we were bowled over by her enthusiasm and attitude.

"She has already taken part in a fundraising sky dive on our behalf! We are so grateful to her and the John Lewis Partnership for this secondment.

"Charities are facing a really challenging time currently and having Kate’s support will make a world of difference to us and the young people we support across the region."

Stick ‘n’ Step provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 25, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live more independent lives.

The charity relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to over 100 families each year at its Wallasey and Runcorn centres.

Find out more about the charity by visiting www.sticknstep.org.