TWO women from York have launched a bold bid to raise thousands of pounds to create a unique leisure and training centre for youngsters with disabilities.

The duo need £50,000 to start construction work on the purpose-built venue for disabled children and young people which would be a first for the UK.

Ruth Thompson and Jo Rodwell, from Poppleton, say the state-of-the-art facility, called Stimul8, would be a place where children with disability could come to play, learn and meet others.

The venue will offer nursery places for complex needs children, be a fully-adapted leisure facility and an NVQ centre, able to offer work placements and apprenticeships for disabled children. It will cater for disabled people up to 25.

Mrs Thompson also runs York Inspirational Kids, which supports families of children who have a disability, so every child can play alongside their siblings. They believe many children are unable to access mainstream nurseries and so the hub will be open to people who have carers and seek special equipment.

Ruth came up with the idea because she felt at her daughter, Georgina,14, who has Cerebral Palsy and is visually impaired, was missing out on certain activities.

She said: “From the families we work with, we have found that mainstream nurseries can accomodate some disabilities but not those with complex needs."

"We have, therefore, launched this fundraiser to try and create a community hub that will be welcoming to every child with a disability, no matter how broad or specific their needs are."

Ruth said the hub would include a playbarn, sensory areas, soundproof rooms, reading corner and a craft area. Stimul8 will also offer the ability to provide training for young people in life skills through training schemes, such as an National Vocational Qucentre and apprenticeships and paid employment.

Jo said: “We have a base of 1,000 families throughout the York area who think this hub could be a place for families to come, enjoy the space and seek any help.”

The pair have raised a third of the £50,000 needed. Ruth said they hoped to raise the money by June and then submit a planning application. Fundraisers include a cake sale at the Lemon Tree Cafe, Nether Poppleton, on Saturday, January 26.

For details visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stimul8