Mum shares pride as Deri-Jane hands out food to passers-by

A DUNDEE mum has been left feeling “emotional and proud” after her daughter decided to donate food to people in need.

Mum Lyndsay Bremner said 12-year-old Deri-Jane Hebden had extra money from Christmas and Easter that she used to buy some of the food, along with items from their kitchen cupboards.

Lyndsay, who uses a wheelchair, said: “Deri-Jane just wanted to help out a little bit and give a bit back to the community, because we’ve had help in the past with me being disabled. She had some money left over from Christmas and Easter, and she just wanted to offer a little bit of help. She does a lot to help at her school, Our Lady’s Primary. She knows the good work the school does and she wanted to do a bit herself.”

Lyndsay added: “It was her own idea – she’s always wanting to help others. It made me feel emotional and proud.”

Sharing Lyndsay’s pride are Deri-Jane’s brothers Declan, 21, 16-year-old Dylan, and Devin, who is 13.

The box of food included pasta, soup, tinned goods, rice, Pot Noodles and other items for passers-by to take for free from the family’s driveway, with a message on the box saying, ‘Please help yourself’.

Deri-Jane told the Tele: “It was my idea, because we have spare food and our cupboards are full.

“We put the box on our driveway and told people to help themselves.”

Deri-Jane said people who had taken food had knocked on their door to thank the family for their generosity.

“They’ve been saying it’s wellappreciated and it’s a good helping hand,” she added.

One man who found himself in need and took an item praised the generosity shown by the family and Deri-Jane in particular.

He said: “I’ve been struggling on Universal Credit, so at times it can be tough.

“I know a lot of people are in the same boat but no one should be going hungry.

“Things like this give you hope at a time when everyone is struggling with the lockdown

“It’s incredibly generous of the family to do this for others.

“Deri-Jane is just a primary school pupil, which is amazing.”

Lyndsay and her children were the first family to move into the purpose-built Dundee City Council properties on Ann Street, which are adapted for people with disabilities.

Lyndsay suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2013 which left her paralysed down one side of her body and she has used a wheelchair since,.

Tragically, the illness struck her two years after the death of Nathan Hebden, the father of her four children, who died aged 33.

Sadly, Nathan never got to meet Deri-Jane, who Lyndsay was pregnant with at the time of his death.

Deri-Jane with some of the food she’s handing out.