Duchess opens charity centre
THE Duchess Of Gloucester visited Runcorn to perform the official opening of charity Stick ‘n’ Step’s new Cheshire centre.
Located in Tudor Hall on York Street, the new centre provides support services to children with cerebral palsy and their families.
The charity provides the children with free of charge conductive education sessions, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live independent lives.
Stick ‘ n’ Step has been established with a centre in Wallasey since 2002 and the acquisition of the new Runcorn centre was made possible thanks to backing from major funder the Steve Morgan Foundation, which bought the ● building and funded the massive refurbishment required with a commitment of £260,000.
A former office building, the centre has been transformed with a large bright classroom space with specialist equipment for the children’s sessions, a state-of-the-art sensory room, fully accessible children’s toilets, a bathroom, a comfortable parents’ room, a kitchen, and office space for staff.
The Duchess was shown round the new facility and introduced to several children and their families who will be attending the centre regularly.
The mayor and mayoress of Halton, Councillors Alan and Joan Lowe, and the Lord-Lieutenant Of Cheshire, David Briggs, were also guests at the opening, along with trustees of The Steve Morgan Foundation and Stick ‘n’ Step.
Stick ‘n’ Step chief executive Amy Couture said: “With one in every 400 children born with cerebral palsy, the demand for this kind of specialist support far outweighs delivery capacity.
“Some of our families were facing journeys of 50 miles each way to attend our centre in Wallasey, which also has a long waiting list.
“Opening this new centre will allow us ultimately to double our capacity and provide support to many more children.
“We are very grateful to everyone who supports our fundraising efforts, especially the Steve Morgan Foundation which acquired and transformed this amazing facility.”
To find out how to access support from Stick ‘n’ Step or how to help the charity visit www.sticknstep.org or call the Runcorn centre on 01928 573 777.