Readers lend hand in lieu of marriage

More than 100 Shenzhen residents have replied to a female migrant worker's offer to marry whoever can help cure her sister's mental illness.

The 21-year-old worker, surnamed Huang, approached the Southern Metropolis News and announced her offer through the paper. The woman, from Jiangxi province, said her family had been plagued with debt since her sister was diagnosed with the illness five years ago.

Most readers who responded to Ms Huang's plight have given help without asking to take up her offer. Some have donated money, and others have provided the names of specialists who treat mental illnesses. One businessman, who is also a Shenzhen member of the National People's Congress, said he was willing to help as long as the girl's situation could be verified.

'It is not right,' he said. 'Young people should not gamble their marriage and trade their love and happiness.'

But Ms Huang has also caught the eye of some readers who phoned in out of the hope of marrying her, the paper reported. It added Ms Huang had thought of becoming a prostitute at one point, but decided to marry herself off instead.