A WIRRAL doctor has launched a charity cook book to raise funds for projects supporting mental health care.

Dr Maureen Wilkinson, medical lead for personal and organisational development, at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), has collated her favourite recipes and stories from around the world to create Cooking with Panache.

The recipes include South African four-seed bread, Gulu goulash and avocado lime pie, to name but a few which have kindly been donated by CWP staff and friends, along with inspiring special memories and stories from around the globe.

Dr Wilkinson explained: "I worked as a psychiatrist for over thirty years and I’m glad to say my practice changed a great deal as I kept up with new developments in neuroscience and psychological therapies, but also as we learnt more of the importance of healthy eating for mental health.

"I had many conversations with my patients about the value of filling your plate with colour for optimum well-being.

"The book contains some great recipes that will help you to do just that, with some treats thrown in for good measure."

Sheena Cumiskey, CWP chief executive said: "All proceeds from the book will go to the CWP Challenging Stigma fund and Jamie's Fund which was set up to support mental health care in Uganda.

"The Trust established a link with Kisiiizi Hospital in South West Uganda in 2010 to support the development of mental health services and to look at ways in which the Trust can both help the project, and learn from it.

"The book features a wide range of recipes to suit every occasion and I’m looking forward to spending many happy hours in the kitchen, working my way through them all."

The books are on sale now for £10, plus postage from www.jamiesfund.org.uk.

 Dr Maureen Wilkinson, CWP medical lead for personal and organisational development; Phil Hough, chair of the Challenging Stigma group and Sheena Cumiskey, CWP chief executive.