THE role of the Lancashire Telegraph in getting things done has been praised by people who benefited from the power of the local press.

The mother of a child who received vital drugs, a hospice fund-raiser and the father of a young man whose death sparked a road safety campaign said the Telegraph’s support was vital to achieving results.

The spoke as part Local Newspaper Week which celebrates the role of trusted news gathers and their ability to improve lives.

In 2006 the paper’s ‘Keep Them Safe’ campaign was the first to highlight the dangers of gangs grooming vulnerable young women leading to Lancashire Police’s pioneering ‘Engage’ team to fight exploitation.

A 1,500 signature petition persuaded the NHS to find the annual £395,000 needed to provide life-changing medication to Blackburn teenager Enola Halleron.

Her mum Donna said: “The Lancashire Telegraph played a crucial role in getting those who matter to change their minds.”

The Telegraph launched it 2007 Wasted Lives campaign to improve young driver safety after 22-year-old Matthew Hannon’s 2006 death in a high-speed crash.

His dad Terry said: “People come to me and say the campaign made them think and we have seen progressive legal changes around young people driving. None of that would have happened without the paper.”

In 2011 the paper helped the East Lancashire Hospice raise £125,000 for a new roof.

Its event fundraiser Denise Gee said: “We could not have achieved that without the support of the Telegraph.”

The paper launched its ‘Stop the Madness’ road safety campaign in November.

The Lancashire Telegraph will continue to highlight and campaign on issues of importance to readers and local residents.