CHILDREN with cerebral palsy have been given a lifeline thanks to a £26,000 donation to help provide new facilities for to the North-East’s only charity providing specialist therapy for youngsters.

Heel & Toe has received the donation from the Mark Benevolent Fund and Trustees which will be used for a state-of-the-art therapy room at a new centre for the charity in Pelton Front Street, County Durham which opens later this year.

This is the largest donation made to Heel & Toe’s appeal so far and will go a long way towards raising the £150,000 needed to totally renovate the former doctor’s surgery in Chester-le-Street, Durham.

Heel & Toe provides over 12,000 hours of free therapy each year to children from across the region at their two centres in Durham and Darlington.

One of those to benefit will be Chloe Hammond, aged 14, who has been unable to walk since birth because of her cerebral palsy. She was one of the first youngsters to attend Heel & Toe when the charity set-up their flagship centre in 2008.

The Durham Johnston school pupil has gained strength and improved mobility over the years and can now do things such as her own transfers from her wheelchair to grab rails or on to the family sofa.

Her mother Mandy Hammond, who after volunteering for the charity for years now works for Heel & Toe, said: “I don’t know where we would be without Heel & Toe. The change in Chloe has been remarkable.”

Now Heel & Toe is urging the region’s businesses to get behind the charity.

To make a donation please contact Jane Long, development manager at Jane@heelandtoe.org.uk or call 0191-3868606.