AN APPEAL to build a new centre for disabled children in Gwent has moved a step closer as work started inside the building this week.

But the project still has a long way to go with the final £750,000 yet to be found.

The Argus-backed Sparkle appeal was launched in 2004 to create a state-of-the-art centre in High Cross, Newport, to help the 1,200 children with complex disabilities in South Gwent.

With the centre starting to take shape, Sparkle fundraisers said it is now more important than ever to raise the final amount of money.

Appeal director Jon Trigwell said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve got to this point but we can’t rest on our laurels.

“We’ve got to get it finished so our fundraising is even more intense now. We’ve now got to accelerate very quickly to get it finished by the end of September.”

The £10 million project needed £1.5 million to kit out the centre with the specialist equipment.

Mr Trigwell said fundraising for this is on target but that a final push is needed to raise the £750,000.

He thanked donators and supporters for their efforts in getting to the point but said this is where the hard work really starts.

“It’s half time in a football match. If we don’t make it through the second half it won’t matter what we’ve done so far."

The appeal is also in the process of setting up a business board to benefit from the skills, time and money of local businesses.

The two-floor centre, which will be equipped with a hydrotherapy pool, gymnasium, medicinema and therapy rooms, should be open by January.

The building even has a new name and will be called The Serennu centre, meaning 'to sparkle' in Welsh.

Contractors moved on to the site on Monday to start the first stage of internal work.

This 20-week phase will see the electrics and cabling fitted inside the building.

Lottery gives fund extra boost

The charity has set up a lottery to raise extra funds towards the appeal.

When players sign up they are given a number which is entered into the draw twice a month, to win £1,000.

The lottery is 50p a week to play which can be paid by direct debit or standing order.

To enter, call the Sparkle Appeal on 01633 656212 or email sparkleappeal@wales.nhs.uk

The next Sparkle fundraising events include:
*Sunday, June 27 - The People’s Prom at Belle Vue Park in Newport
*Wednesday, June 30 - Trek to Kilamanjaro
*Saturday, July 24 – It’s a Knockout
* To find out more about the Sparkle Appeal, long-on to the charity's website www.sparkleappeal.org

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Please give generously

IT is fantastic that work on the new centre for disabled children in Newport is really starting to take shape.

It was six years ago that the Argus-backed Sparkle appeal was launched to create what will be a state-of-the-art centre to cater for the complex needs of 1,200 children living with disabilities in south Gwent.

Since then people from all walks of life have held myriad fund-raising events ranging from the fairly sensible to the quite mad.

Much money has been raised over the years and it is testament to the generosity of people in this area that the appeal has gone so well.

However, much more work is still needed to turn the building, which can now be seen at High Cross, into a one-stop facility providing treatment and therapy.

Currently the children have to visit many different clinics spread across Newport and further afield, which is far from ideal.

The two-floor centre, will eventually be equipped with a hydrotherapy pool, gymnasium and therapy rooms and the hope is that if all goes according to plan it could open early next year.

So we appeal once again to all of you out there to carry on fund raising for this centre which we firmly believe will be the best of its kind in Wales.

Even though these are still difficult economic times, our readers have shown no let-up in their support.

We can’t stress enough how important this facility will be and how vital your continued support is so please carry on raising money.