A GREENOCK mum-of-four who has turned her life around and runs her own successful business has paid tribute to a local charity for 'saving' her family.

Trishy Gannon says she has never looked back since Children in Poverty stepped in to help her.

Her family were thrown into turmoil five years ago when her husband Gordon lost his job through serious ill health and they were left struggling to make ends meet.

When they needed it most Children in Poverty offered them a holiday to get away from the stresses.

Since then they have never looked back and went from strength to strength.

The charit,y run by local businessman Pat Burke, continues to raise thousands of pounds to send hundreds of deprived children on holiday breaks.

Trishy, of Auchmead Road, said: "Children in Poverty honestly saved us.

"We had both worked all our lives but when Gordon wasn't able to work and we had four children, it was very difficult for us.

"I was put in touch with Pat through the nursery and can't tell you the difference it made getting away from it all and spending some time together as a family.

"I could feel the tension lift.

"I think it is a brilliant charity."

Trishy, 41, and Gordon, 54, recently featured on a STV Children's Appeal film about the charity, along with their children Hope, nine, Fergus, seven, Autumn, six, and Angus, five.

Children in Poverty was recently awarded £2,000 from STV to continue to send families on holidays.

Thanks to donations from local people Pat sends families on week long breaks with transport, entertainment and food taken care of and Trishy and Gordon were one of the first families to benefit from their work.

Gordon used to work as a chef but was struck down with diverticulitis – a digestive complaint of the large intestine - which has left him seriously ill.

At the same time their son Fergus was badly injured in an accident and the family fell on bad times.

But thanks to local support Trishy, who has a passion for crafts, managed to fulfil a dream of opening her own place and she now owns her own place in the thriving Kempock Street.

She rents out space to other crafters as well as making her own creations.

Trishy added: "We are doing well but it could easily have been different.

"I want to do all I can to thank Pat for what he did for us.

"He is a wonderful man."