A CHARITY for children with cerebral palsy is appealing for tradesmen to help it open its new centre in Chester-le-Street.

Heel to Toe has bought a former GP surgery in Front Street, Pelton, a few miles from the town, and needs to raise £150,00 because it has outgrown its base at Framwellgate Moor, Durham.

The charity was founded in 2008 and offers specialist therapies, including the pioneering conductive education pioneered by Hungary’s Peto Institute, to youngsters who have cerebral palsy as well as other disabilities.

I But the building needs a major overhaul and the charity needs to raise £150,000 for the project.

It is appealing for businesses and community groups to donate money and for builders, electricians, joiners and other tradesmen to volunteer their help with the refurbishment.

Heel to Toe hopes to open the centre at Easter and wants the work to get underway in January.

Heel to Toe co-founder Paul Bannister, whose 16-year-old daughter Hannah has cerebral palsy, said: “We have launched an appeal for £150,000 to cover the costs of the conversion and we are looking for businesses to chip in with donations to help us improve the lives of those with cerebral palsy and their families and others with physical disabilities.

“We also are also asking tradesmen to help us out.

“The effort that goes into working with the children to help them develop and to achieve their milestones is phenomenal.

“And there are families with children who are more restricted physically than Hannah who rely on having a break so the support the new centre will offer is a lifeline for them.”

Heel to Toe now gives 80 children an average of four hours of conductive therapy a week from specialist therapists at its three centres, one of which is in Darlington.

The conversion of the surgery will offer free conductive education in term time and short break activities such as dance, drama, music and art in the school holidays.

To donate or volunteer contact Amanda Tweedy, the charity’s development and fundraising officer, at amanda.tweedy@heelandtoe.org.uk or call 0191- 386-8606.