Skelmersdale mum Debbie Featherstone reunited with daughter Sophie after Advertiser appeal

Aug 6 2009 by Gemma Jaleel, Skelmersdale Advertiser

Skelmersdale mum is reunited with her daughter after Advertiser appeal

A 19-YEAR-OLD woman had an emotional reunion with her mother following an appeal in the Advertiser last week.

Sophie Featherstone met with her mum Debbie at her home on Falklands in Birch Green in Skelmersdale last Friday.

Sophie told the Advertiser: “I’m so happy. I can’t believe I’ve found her.”

Sophie was adopted by her maternal grandmother Pat Featherstone when she was 18-months-old after she was given up by her mum.

Sophie was brought up by her nan in Southport and went to Stanley High School before studying art and design at Southport College.

But after her nan passed away from cancer in February last year, Sophie decided she needed answers and launched an appeal to try and locate her mother.

Within hours of the paper being on sale, the Advertiser newsdesk received several phonecalls with information regarding Debbie’s whereabouts, before Debbie rang in herself.

She said: “My son’s friend told me his mother had seen the paper and said that Sophie was looking for me.

“I always knew that one day I would have a chance to see Sophie and I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. I can’t thank you enough.”

Debbie, 37, explained that her mum had a resident order over Sophie until she was 16.

“I got pregnant at 18-years-old and I thought it was better to let my mum look after her, so I stayed away.

“I just wanted Sophie to have a normal life. So I moved from Southport to Skelmersdale.

“When I first came here I used to go and see her and my mum every weekend. My mother made it quite awkward for me at the time.