By James Johnson

Last updated at 14:00, Thursday, 31 March 2011

Construction work on a centre for profoundly disabled children and their parents is set to begin next week at Kingmoor Park just outside Carlisle.

• Video: Animated fly-over of proposed centre

Artist impression of the proposed respite centre

Related: Carlisle secret millionaire's £190,000 bequest to help disabled children

The first bit of ground will be broken next Wednesday on the Carlisle Mencap Grace Little Centre, which was designed by Architects Plus and will be built by Story Construction.

The work starts after a year spent raising £335,000 to build the centre, which began with a £190,000 donation by Grace Little, whose son was cared for by Carlise Mencap. The land was donated by Kingmoor Park owner Brian Scowcroft, £168,000 was donated by Cumbria County Council, and more recently ECM and Carlisle businessman Ray MacDowell donated £175,000.

However, specialist internal fittings are needed, and this will require the raising of an additional £80,000.

Sheila Gregory, chief officer of Carlisle Mencap, said: “The centre is a dream come true for disabled young people and their families in north Cumbria.

“When we decided in 2010 to use the money Grace left us towards a children’s centre, I thought it would take five years to raise the money required to build even a part of it.

“It’s amazing how people have taken the project to their hearts and helped us to raise the money.”

Carlisle Mencap provides services including residential respite care for adults, supported living, community support and family support workers.

First published at 11:28, Thursday, 31 March 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk