PEOPLE across Gwent are pulling together to support the Sparkle Appeal, which, just two days into the Argus campaign, has touched many hearts and minds.

Our £250,000 fundraising drive only began two days ago, but already members of the public are pledging their support.

The purpose-built centre, to be built on a 14-acre site at High Cross, will be a one-stop facility for more than 1,200 disabled children in Newport, Torfaen and south Monmouthshire.

These youngsters include seven-year-old Rebecca Maggs, and 11-year-old James Allen, both from Newport, who have been featured in the Argus this week.

We want to raise the £250,000 during 2004, and to judge from the comments of shoppers we have spoken to, the idea has strong support. lHelen Foster, aged 24, from Ringland, Newport, said: "I think it is a good idea, we haven't got anything else like that in Newport and because it is for children it should be successful.

"As a mum it certainly strikes a chord with me and I would go out and get involved with something like the Sparkle Appeal, and help out in the ways that I can."

Gareth Pitman, aged 23, from Abertillery, said he thought the idea of a children's centre designed to the meet under one roof the needs of youngsters with a wide range of problems was a good idea for the area.

He said: "My son, Dafydd, was born with a club foot and we had to travel all over Gwent from one hospital to the next for appointments.

"Somewhere we could have gone with everything under one roof would have been great.

"This appeal will hit most parents, especially parents who have had children who were born with problems or had problems later on in their childhood.

"I would get involved to help out if something came about where I could help."

Sixty-five-year-old Helga O'Keefe, from Gaer, Newport, said: "It is a good idea and hope it gets the support it deserves from people.

"I think people will support it, if you have a little child then you want it to be looked after and a centre like this can do that.

"People should help it because it is for children and it will help people come forward and support them."

Company director Don Stewart, aged 51, from St Julians, Newport, agreed the appeal is a positive one that will help people in Gwent. He said: "I think it is a great idea helping children, which is very important and it will certainly get a lot of support."

Twenty-four-year-old mum of two Ellen Bevan, from Nantyglo, said she felt the appeal was good to help disabled children and improve the quality of their life.

She said: "They need all the help and fun that they can get, I think it is a good thing for them and they will receive a lot of support because it is for children.

"I can imagine it can be hard work for the parents who provide 24-hour care and parents need a rest too, so this could be good for them, especially if everything is under one roof. It will make it easier for them. "As a parent myself I see how good the centre could be and I would raise funds for it wherever I could."

Mark Parfitt, aged 25, from Brynmawr, works at Llanwern steelworks. He said: "It is very worthwhile cause and a great appeal to do and support. "I think something like this is very important and I am sure it will get amazing support.