IN JULY I attended ‘Meet my Family’, an event hosted by the charity Contact a Family.

It brought families with disabled children together with MPs so that we could hear first-hand the unique challenges caring for a disabled child can represent.

Raising any child is a challenge, but it is especially true where the child is one of around 800,000 disabled children in the UK, or one of the 20 per cent of children with additional needs.

The statistics speak volumes. 32 per cent of families with a disabled child split up under the pressure and more than half of families with a disabled child are at risk of poverty.

In the 1970s, families with disabled children came together to support one another and share their experiences. This has continued to this day as the charity Contact a Family.

In the words of Amanda Batten, chief executive of Contact a Family, ‘everything we do is about improving the lives of families with disabled children. We achieve this by working directly with parents and carers, and we are driven by what they tell us is important’.

Their main goals are to ensure families with disabled children received the right support, are confident to deal with the challenges they face, the financial disadvantages of caring for disabled children are reduced, and that they are understood, valued and included in their communities.

Where families with disabled children need advice, support, signposting and a feeling of community, Contact a Family are always there to help.

Today, Contact a Family have an impact on the lives of around 20 per cent of families with disabled children, and actively promote positive change to make their lives easier.

Over the coming years, Contact a Family hope to expand their network to help more families and promote further positive change.

As an MP I know that in my own constituency this issue affects the lives of so many and I resolved to do my bit and contribute towards this excellent cause.

That’s why I took time out of my election campaign this year to run the London Marathon raising over £3,000 for Contact a Family, helping them to raise over £29,000 overall.

I encourage anyone who needs help get in touch with Contact a Family.

Contact details may be found on their website www.cafamily.org.uk.