A Queenborough mum is hoping to raise the profile of a charity close to her heart.

Penny Woods’ son Harry attends Cerebral Palsy Care Kent (CPCK) which helps children with the condition and their families.

The six-year-old from Borough Road has been a regular at the Chatham-based centre for more than a year.

CPCK, formerly Smiley Steps, is on the lookout for funding since losing out on a £50,000 share of the Big Lottery Fund’s People’s Millions last month.

Penny said it’s vital the charity, which has 30 families on its books but relies on a small number of staff, is able to continue its good work.

She said: “The cerebral palsy has left Harry reliant on a wheelchair as he cannot stand or walk.

“He had physio at hospital, but once he started school he no longer had these therapy sessions. Then we found about
Cerebral Palsy Care Kent.

“At his first therapy session at the centre, Harry was walking between bars and is now on his way to achieving his goal of taking steps with the aid of sticks.

“At CPCK, they teach the children to use the strengths they already have to increase their strengths in other areas.

“Harry and many others like him attend these conductive education sessions on a weekly basis and it’s all free of charge.”

She added: “CPCK have done so much for Harry in the year and a half that he’s attended and we could not be more grateful.”

A spokesman for the charity said it needs to raise £200,000 a year to continue.

She said: “As a non-profit organisation we rely on supporters’ money, but since companies and families have started to look into their own budget and make those necessarily cuts, our donations have dropped by 40%.

“Cerebral palsy is not a terminal illness but a condition that can grow with the physical body and may result in deterioration of life functions unless it is treated otherwise.

“Our children have the potential to become independent.”

For more information on the charity visit: www.cpckent.com