By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 12:32, Friday, 18 May 2012

A friend in need is a friend indeed – and they can prove pretty useful chefs too.

Sarah Glass

A freak cooking accident left Sarah Glass, of Cockermouth, with her left hand in a large cast and sling.

The 35-year-old mum-of-two can’t drive for 12 weeks and, although she is right-handed, she admits her culinary and household skills have been suffering.

Mrs Glass, a marketing officer for a Keswick photographic company, explained: “I was scraping out contents from the [hand] blender and I hadn’t unplugged it from the wall.

“I accidentally knocked it on with the hand that was holding it, and sliced into my forefinger.”

While her finger was still attached, the blade had cut down to her first knuckle and damaged 60 per cent of the tendon, sliced the ligament and chipped the bone. Mrs Glass was taken to hospital in Newcastle, where doctors operated on her finger before strapping her up so the whole hand is immobile.

“It’s attached and fine,” she insisted, “but my hand is in a giant cast.”

Her mum came to stay for the first week, but her husband works long hours and, with two young children aged four and eight, it looked to be a challenging time.

To the astonishment of Mrs Glass, friends in the town have rallied round her in time of need, to ensure she and her family are not suffering.

Lynn Graham and Alison Wright decided they wanted to do something to help their friend, and food seemed the most practical way.

“I just wondered how she was going to cope with one hand,” Alison recalled, “and everyone has to eat.

“So I drew up a rota, and we worked out what everyone would cook so Sarah didn’t end up with seven lasagnas or something. Before we knew it, we had two weeks worth of meals.”

Lynn said the response had delighted her.

“It just shows what a good friend Sarah is to us,” she insisted. “It wasn’t a big deal, but we wanted to help without intruding on the family too much. This is a great practical way, and everyone was straight on board.”

At least 10 people have supplied meals ranging from shepherd’s pie to stew.

Sarah said: “It is mostly my friends, but there are some people I don’t really know well.

“They have organised a food rota, and every day someone brings round food that just needs heating up.

“I think we’re probably eating better than when I cook!”

The generosity is particularly astounding for Mrs Glass, as she is originally from Woodford Green, in Essex, and moved to Cockermouth five years ago.

“The sense of community spirit is amazing,” she added. “I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone; it is so nice, and so unexpected.”

First published at 11:26, Friday, 18 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk