A charity which offers support and advice for families with autistic children is celebrating after buying their base in Cliffe Woods.

Medway Autism Group and Information Centre, known as Magic, has bought Bradbury House in View Road, with financing from HSBC.

The charity was started 10 years ago by Gayna Simmonds after she realised her two autistic children needed more support.

Magic held its first meetings in McDonald’s on Medway City Estate before evolving into coffee mornings and activity days for young people with autism.

The charity then started running sessions at Woodie’s Youth Centre in Rochester before moving to Bradbury House three years ago. It was previously home to Cerebral Palsy Care (CPC) Kent which closed in 2014.

Magic already offers a tuition service for children aged five to 18 and currently helps 24 young people. Charity bosses say buying the property has helped them form long-term plans and they hope to grow the service.

HSBC has worked with Magic for more than 18 months to help them buy Bradbury House.

They organised a fundraiser where 15 members of staff spent the day gardening and tidying up so youngsters could make the most of the outdoor facilities. They raised more than £1,000.

A Magic spokesman said: “Knowing that we have a permanent premises has been invaluable to the wider Magic Medway team as it has given us the confidence to build a long term growth strategy. HSBC’s backing has been vital in helping us to achieve this.

"Its additional fundraising support has really shown us how the bank is willing to go above and beyond, taking the time to really get to the roots of what we’re about.

“We have a lot of exciting things planned for the future in our wonderful new home, including further developing our tuition services and providing respite and short breaks for local children with autism.”

Sarah Milligan, HSBC’s Kent area director for business banking, said: “Magic is a charity providing vital support for the local community.

"Within the not-for-profit sector companies are reliant on support from third parties so we’re delighted to help Magic purchase its new home.

"The purchase of Bradbury House has secured the charity’s long term operations and will ensure it continues to provide its services for families in Kent.

“With such a busy time for the charity HSBC has also taken part in a fundraising day, which was a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand the benefits the property has provided.

"It’s a brilliant space and my team and I were really happy to offer our time and help to spruce up the outdoor areas.”

For more information about the charity search Medway Autism Group and Information Centre on Facebook.