TRAFFORD'S only special needs support group has launched a major fundraising drive to help it to set up a new base.

The Special Educational Needs Families Support Group needs to rake in £180,000 to open a family centre.

The new facility would give a massive boost to efforts to help disabled children and youngsters with special needs. It will have a multi sensory room, an enclosed play area, play, training and meeting rooms, resource library and a telephone help line office.

Around 1,000 families are helped each year by the charity. Its current HQ on Newton Road, Urmston, is rented and is upstairs and so there are access problems for disabled people.

A new centre would be a 'home from home' for the children and their families and also give long term security to the charity.

Marsha White, founder member of the charity says: "As the only front line service of its kind in Trafford, we are the only hope for many parents to find an appropriate means of education for their children.

"Without our help, these children will be a lost cause with no hope for their future.

"Trafford people have been very good to us in the past - they care about children and pull together as a community. I just hope they support us again."

The charity helps children with a range of conditions including cerebral palsy, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and other related illnesses and disabilities.

Last year it faced a funding crisis - but after SUM highlighted the problems people from throughout the borough rallied around to raise cash to keep it afloat. Then its future was assured when it gained a £152,000 three year grant from the National Lottery.

ANYONE who would like to support the charity's fund-raising appeal should call Marsha on 755 3482 or 0966 263710. The charity needs to raise £180,000 by 2002, when its National Lottery funding runs out.

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