THE SPARKLE appeal to raise £10,000 for an ‘equipment library’ to help disabled children has reached the half way point in its fundraising.

Since the appeal was launched by the South Wales Argus in December your generous donations have raised just over £5,000 to provide the Serennu Children’s Centre in Newport with specialised equipment for children with a disability.

Now staff at the centre are urging one final push on donations to help them reach their target of £10,000.

Lisa Pearson, business development manager at Sparkle said: “We're half way to where we would like to be.

“The £2000 donation from Greggs means that readers [have] very kindly donated £3000 which we are very happy and pleased with.

“I understand that Christmas was a very expensive time for everyone which makes it even more heart-warming that people were prepared to donate.

“It would be amazing if we could continue to raise the remainder of money needed in order for us to provide this much needed disability equipment library for our children.”

Scott Pearson chairman of the appeal added: "Sparkle wishes to thank all that have or who may be thinking about donating.

"The children that will benefit from your generosity are marvellous and very inspirational and need your help and support to continue to be amazing children, this am sure you will have seen during the appeal. "Unfortunately we have not yet reached our £10k target so if you are able to donate please do so and help Sparkle to help the children be all that they can be."

The appeal centres on a piece of equipment called TinyTRAX, a powered wheelchair which could enable children from 20 months up to eight years to learn the foundation skills required for driving an electric wheelchair in a fun and personalised way.

Director of TinyTRAX Simon Halsey said: “One of the main benefits of TinyTRAX is that they are the lightest power chairs available and they are very transportable, which gives a lot more freedom to the family and the child.

“The other benefit is obviously the image.

“We wanted to create something that looked good, something where other children can say ‘oh wow, that’s cool’ and because it is in a range of different colours the child can choose how they want it to look.

“It was important to develop something that didn’t look daunting to the child or swamped them in terms of size.”

Mum Fran Jenkins, whose daughter Darcie, 7, has Downs Syndrome said reaching the half way point in fundraising was brilliant.

“It is absolutely fantastic news,” she said.

“But people need to be reminded that it’s not over yet, so please continue to donate.”

The easiest way to donate is by text.

Just text SGCF14 and then the amount you wish to donate to 70070.

For example, SGCF1410 to donate £10.

Donations can also be made by calling the Sparkle office on 01633 748092 and asking for Lisa Pearson.

EQUIPMENT LIBRARY

• TinyTRAX chair, £6,000. A powered wheelchair which would enable children aged from 20 months to eight to learn the foundation skills for driving an electric wheelchair.

• Quest 88 Walking Frame, £317. 50. A walking aid for children requiring additional support to walk. Without the aid of equipment like this he child has no freedom to move around independently.

• Nessie, £225. This is a positioning system for supporting a child normally with a more severe disability, in a variety of positions on the floor. This will help them to develop skills, strengthening muscles and enable them to engage in play activities.

• Wiz K walker, £540. This is a forward facing walker which can be used for assessing a child which developmental delay. This is often the first walker to be introduced to a small child which supports and enhances the child’s mobility and gives then freedom to move around.

• 2x Gymnic anti burst physio roll plus peanut, £94.41. These peanut shaped therapy balls are used for children with complex needs to develop strength and movement skills.

• W1 Kaye Walker, £588. This is a forward facing foldable walker by Quest 88 for use in assessment and treatment sessions.

• Leckey Squiggles Stander, £1,500. This is an early years standing frame which can be used prone, upright and supine. This stander can be used to assess a child’s needs into an initial standing frame

• Small Pacer walker, £1,349. This is a supportive walker for a child with complex physical needs which can be used for both assessment and treatment purposes.