A CHILDREN'S special needs group's short-term future has been secured thanks to the generosity of local residents and businesses.
Formed in 2019, Happy Days Special Needs Community Group was launched by four local mums who struggled to find a space that provided diverse support under one roof.
Taking matters into their own hands, the mums launched Happy Days out of All Saints Church Hall in Bedford and it has since become a lifeline as children can play in a safe and non-judgmental space and parents can relax and support one another.
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As the group is run entirely by volunteers and donations, the group often needs outside funding to pay for rent, activities, as well as food and drinks for the parents and children.
This can often be an added worry for the volunteers, but a couple of generous donations have helped to take this stress away for the next 12 months.
To help secure the group's short-term future, Derek Beaumont's AB Sundecks business has provided £3000, Astley Rotary has donated £500 and the ASDA Foundation and Taylors Bar on Wigan Road have also raised funds.
One of the founders of Happy Days is Beverley Piddington-Parr, whose daughter Bethany has downs syndrome and grandson George has Russell-silver syndrome.
Beverley said: "We've been blown away by the support because this means we can keep going for another 12 months without worrying.
"The extra funding enables us to bring fun and laughter to the disabled children of Leigh and surrounding areas, so it's even more special that the money has been donated by local people.
"It can be draining and daunting for parents who have children with special needs, and I don't think people realise the support that is out there.
"It was really bad during covid because we couldn't meet up, so everyone is very we can keep going because we offer a range of activities for the kids and support from parents who have had similar experiences."
Happy Days Special Needs Group meet at All Saints Church Hall on the last Sunday of the month.
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