A FLAGSHIP day centre, the first of its kind in the region, is appealing for support to ensure the future for the vital work it does.

The Pendragon Trust offers support and care for people with physical, mental and emotional difficulties who have additional needs, and their carers and families.

Six weeks after opening the £750,000 centre in Northallerton, which has state-of-the-art sensory and support facilities, has been overwhelmed by the response, but for organisers it is now crucial to spread the word and encourage people to come through the doors.

For fifteen years parents and caring professionals campaigned and raised money to get the centre opened as an independent charitable trust. It is not funded by local authorities, a lottery grant is helping, but that diminishes, and after five years they have to be able to stand on their own two feet.

“We have seen the desperate need,” said centre manager Jules Downes.

“This is such a special place, we can host people of all ages, from babies to elderly people and we know there is a particular shortage of amenities for after school age.

“We are family-orientated, and most importantly we want it to be fun, for siblings and parents and carers as well. We have hoists and changing spaces, everything is here,” she added.

David Kerfoot, chair of the trust, said: "People who come here are blown away because it’s such a fabulous place. This is an incredibly important centre and it is filling a huge gap not only in our community but across the region for helping those who need support.

“But we have to become sustainable, this has to carry on, so we need to raise funds and create revenue. We’ve already held the first Northallerton 10k race which raised over £7,000 and we’ll be holding many more such events.”

The centre is only the second of its kind to be opened in the country, with the other in Preston, Lancashire.

Relief carer Bev Thornton who accompanied visitors Lizzie Searle and James Wilkinson, both 25, added: "This is my first time and it really is an amazing place. There is a massive need for this, it is a lovely environment, and there is nowhere else like it in this area.

“I can see Lizzie loves it, she was so pleased when she saw where we were coming too, it is ideal.”

The centre is open six days a week, charging £10 for adults and £6 for children with carers paying £1. For information go to www.pendragon-ct.org/