An appeal has been launched to give teenagers with disabilities the chance to enjoy trips out just like others their age.

Parents Consortium, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, believes that fundraising campaigns are often focused on helping younger children, with older age groups left without the same support.

The Messenger’s Charity of the Year will therefore focus its latest campaign on helping youngsters aged between 13 and 18, allowing to them take part in activities such as bowling, going to the cinema, or a night out at the theatre.

Fundraising manager Caroline Brinkman said: “They probably need stimulation more than most and other children change at this crucial time in their development.

“These children are just the same but are unable to do these things themselves and need our specialist support. These youngsters also want to do different things away from mum and dad and we give them the chance to do this.

“We have young people that need help at the teenage stage as things change for them. Not just their emotions, but their ability, understanding of communications and their outlook in life.

“They probably need stimulation more than most and other children change at this crucial time in their development" Caroline Brinkman

“Many of these young people lead isolated lives with little to look forward to during the school holidays. We are going to change this while also working with them on transitional skills that will take them into adulthood.”

It is hoped that the Trips for Teens campaign, which will run throughout 2017, will encourage an understanding of diversity and a more positive community attitude towards young people that are disabled.

Those it helps will also see their confidence and social skills improve to allow for better integration with their peers, as well as the charity’s staff and volunteers.

Among those to benefit are 14-year-old Holly Rawles and 15-year-old Holly Morant-Mills, for whom another fundraiser was held earlier this year to get her back on a bike.

Well-wishers raised £2,000 to buy her an adapted bike after a rare disease left her immobile.

You can support the Trips for Teens appeal online at justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/parentsconsortium/tripsforteens. You can also donate by texting PCP15 followed by the amount you wish to give to 70070.