By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 15:24, Monday, 02 July 2012

Finishing touches are now being made to a new respite centre for disabled children thanks to an extra cash boost from the woman whose legacy launched the project.

Just 18 months after launching a major fundraising appeal was launched, Carlisle Mencap are now gearing up to open its doors this summer.

The Grace Little Centre, at Kingmoor Park in north Carlisle, will provide short breaks for children and young people with disabilities across north Cumbria.

An initial £190,000 cash injection came from the legacy of its namesake – 94-year-old Carlisle woman Grace Little, whose disabled son Frank was supported by the charity.

After being named as a beneficiary of her will in 2010, Carlisle Mencap then set about raising the rest of the £550,000 needed to build it. The centre is now complete but the charity has had to raise additional funds to furnish and pay for play equipment. Now it has been given a further £19,000 from her legacy to complete the project.

This week an outdoor play area has been constructed next to the building and it is almost ready to open.

Chief executive Sheila Gregory said almost all the essential items have now been purchased, though they will continue to raise money to pay for all the extras.

She said: “Lots of fundraisers have been hard at work. Cumbria County Council had provided two generous grants and finally, very unexpectedly, the charity received further £19,000 from the will of Grace Little, the woman whose legacy started the whole process.

“A disabled accessible swing, roundabout and slide are being constructed in the grounds.

“Although the residential wing won’t be open until after an Ofsted inspection, expected over the next month, the activity wing is now in full swing with youngsters enjoying using the equipment,” added Sheila.

“We are still raising funds for toys and some items. The next major item will be raising funds for a minibus.”

Carlisle has not had a children’s respite centre since the controversial closure of Orton Lea back in 2007.

First published at 11:24, Monday, 02 July 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk