EAST Lancashire residents are being given the chance to support the 'Child of Blackburn'.

Eight-year-old Kadijatou, who lives in The Gambia, has been chosen as the youngster the town will give money to over the festive period.

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She lives in one of the world's poorest countries, where almost half of the population lives on less than £1 a day.

Children often grow up hungry and malnourished and families cannot afford to send them to school.

The urgent appeal is run by ActionAid which is asking Blackburn residents to sponsor Kadijatou to help provide a brighter future for her and her community.

Jane Moyo, from ActionAid, said: "We’re hoping this focused local appeal in Blackburn will help us change Kadijatou’s future for good.

"For just £15 a month, child sponsorship through ActionAid can help bring about real, long-term change.

“You'll get two letters a year from the child you sponsor, and updates from the country to tell you how the money you donate is changing lives.

"That could be through building classrooms, supplying clean water, delivering basic healthcare and even offering small business training."

Sponsorship will help Kadijatou go to and stay in school by providing things like pens, books and uniforms that struggling families cannot afford.

The first person to respond will be Kadijatou’s sponsor. They will receive an insight into her life and have the opportunity to form a real connection with her.

The sponsor will also see the difference their sponsorship is making with regular feedback from Kadijatou.

Anyone keen to take part, but who misses out on the chance to sponsor Kadijatou, can still offer a festive gift by sponsoring another child with ActionAid for themselves, or on behalf of someone they love.

Mark Watson, ActionAid sponsor and celebrity comedian and author, said: “People often feel with charities that they're pouring money into a far-off place that will never solve any of its problems.

"With child sponsorship you get to see the relationship between your donations and the real improvements in a specific person's life. It's really rewarding as well as being desperately needed.”

Throughout the appeal, which is being rolled out nationwide, ActionAid is aiming to reach 2,700 of the world’s most vulnerable children in countries including Myanmar, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.

For more information, visit www.actionaid.org.uk/city