Delight at £6m for Sparkle centre

10:01am Saturday 10th May 2008

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AFTER five years of campaigning, the Argus-backed Sparkle Appeal has been given vital funds to make the South Gwent Children's Centre a reality.

Last night the Argus learned Assembly health minister Edwina Hart has approved vital funds totalling £6m for the building and core services at the treatment centre for disabled children in High Cross, Newport.

This is fantastic news for hundreds of disabled youngsters and their families in south Monmouthshire, Torfaen, and Newport, providing essential services and treatments all under one roof.

The South Gwent Children's Foundation launched the Sparkle Appeal campaigning for the centre in 2003 and the Argus has backed the campaign from day one.

Fundraising manager Helen Lloyd, said she screamed with joy when she heard the news.

She said: "It's been a long time coming, but I'm just ecstatic. We can see light at the end of the tunnel now."

Parents will be able to access treatments and services easier because they will be under the same roof, and children will benefit from modern equipment.

The centre at High Cross, Newport, could be up and running by Spring 2009.

Rosemary Butler, AM for Newport West has been closely involved with negotiations.

She said: "It took a long time to get all the relevant authorities to come to an agreement, but now that it's happened it's a red letter day for those children in South Gwent who need these special facilities.

"It will be a great relief for all those who have been campaigning so effectively over the last few years."

Helen Lloyd said the Sparkle Appeal will still need to raise funds for extra facilities, including sensory gardens, a resource centre, a toy library, a parents room and a purpose-built cinema.

She said the group have already raised around £250,000 but are looking to hit £2.5million Argus editor Gerry Keighley, a trustee of South Gwent Childrens Foundation and director of the Sparkle Appeal said:"This is dream news. Disabled children in our area will at last have world class facilities. Now we have to raise money for equipment but let's celebrate the fact that the centre is now a reality."

Parents who have been heavily involved in the campaign told the Argus they can't wait for the centre to open.

Rebecca Maggs, 11, of Barrack Hill, Newport was born 15 weeks premature. She had and two life threatening brain haemorrhages within the first few weeks of her life. Rebecca has cerebral palsy left side and almost no sight in her right eye.

Her mother, Sue Maggs, 49, said: "It's brilliant news, the children will have their own space and a space that is suited to their needs.

"At times I thought we weren't getting anywhere, but it's all paid off now!"

James Allen, 15, of the Gaer, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just 16 months old.

Father Ron Allen, 61, said: "It will mean that everything will be all under one roof and we won't have to go to lots of different places.

"It will be a lot easier for us and not so traumatic for James."

He added: "We accepted when the appeal began that it may be of more benefit for younger children and that's why we've been so involved - we did it for the future children coming through like James."

Ayesha Khan, 12, will also benefit from the centre. Ayesha has Spinal Bifida and hydrocephalus. She is in a wheelchair and suffers from severe headaches.

Mother Jabeen Khan, of Pill, said she was looking forward to taking Ayesha to the new centre for her therapies.

She said: "It will be nice for parents to be able to come to a place where we can exchange advice."

Mrs Khan added that she also hopes going to the new centre will help Ayesha to meet friends who have similar conditions.