A mother-of-three has joined a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about child abuse.

Karen Sharkie was so horrified by what happened to Baby P, the toddler who died after suffering abuse at the hands of his mother and two men, she decided to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

The main aim of the NSPCC is to protect children from cruelty, and the Baby P Tribute Fund has been set up to raise money for the charity.

Mrs Sharkie, 29, got involved with the fund after joining a group on internet social networking site Facebook.

She is now trying to raise awareness of the fund on the Island.

As well as raising money for the NSPCC, the campaign is trying to launch April as Child Abuse Awareness Month. The fund is also trying to organise a national blue ribbon day in April.

Recruit

Mrs Sharkie has been making the ribbons at home, and has so far managed to recruit The Beach Hotel, Minster Primary School and the New Road Football Club to take part in fund-raising events.

Mrs Sharkie, of Minster Road, Minster, said: “I was so affected by the Baby P story so I started to get involved. So much came out about the terrible state the society is in, and something needs to be done to stop this from happening again. The NSPCC does so much.”

uE06E If you would like to help Karen out with fund-raising or to find out where you can get a blue ribbon, phone her on 01795 877897 or visit www.thebabyptributefund.co.uk

uE06E In November, we reported how Sheerness dad Adam Yates had started a group on Facebook calling for the execution of Baby P’s killers. The group went on to have more than 30,000 members.