A CARING Barnsley mum has overcome struggles and tragedy to give a helping hand to anyone who needs it.
Maria Robertshaw-Corbett is disabled and is mum to two disabled boys and step mum to two young girls with special needs while also supporting her husband, Peter, who is also disabled.
But as well as being a full-time carer to her immediate family, Maria offers support to numerous other people in Barnsley.
“I’ll help anybody I truly believe in good karma if you give good out then you get it back in some way,” said Maria.
“Just a friendly smile can change someone’s day and if I can do anything to help I will whether that’s going to the shop for them, giving them a lift or just having a chat I’ll do it if I can.”
In addition Maria has been a volunteer since July 2018 for Hope, a charity set up by her husband Peter, based in and serving Barnsley residents.
It provides a myriad of services to the local community and she also volunteers delivering cooking courses for nutritious and low-cost meals for the community.
“We do anything we can to help we have a phone check-in service and ring people for a friendly chat even on Christmas Day if they need support.
“We will help people if they’re moving house or they need help with decorating. And HOPE also has a charity shop where we will help anyone who has a genuine need.”
Maria also helps out and provides the food for children who attend ‘Healthy Holidays’ clubs which the charity delivers.
A Proud of Barnsley nomination from Chrissy Meleady MBE, who is CEO of Equalities and Human Rights UK, said: “Maria is an extremely caring and compassionate person who does her best for everyone despite having experienced in her own life extreme tragedies and other struggles.
“Nothing is ever too much for her to help a Barnsley child or family in need and she gives of her time 24/7 and 52 weeks a year.”
Maria added: “I lost my own mum to murder 20 years ago and it still feels like yesterday time goes so fast and I believe that every day’s a new day and you have to focus on positives.
“It doesn’t matter what you don’t have - your children make you smile every day and the parks are free, sitting on the settee watching a movie is free and if you can do that and help anyone you can, that’s enough to have a happy, rewarding life.”
Chrissy’s nomination concludes: “She has never been the recipient of any recognition and we consider that this proposed award is ideally suited to her as she is an absolute credit to Barnsley and a great ambassador for the town.
“She is truly deserving to be recognised and her efforts and contributions celebrated.”
