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Rainbow House secures pot of gold
Ten months ago, The Legacy Rainbow House was falling into a financial black hole.
The children's charity was more than 1m in the red and under serious threat of closure.
Cash-strapped parents of children helped by the charity were being charged to use services for the first time in its eight-year history.
Now, thanks to the hard work and generosity of Lancashire people, its future is more secure after raising 725,000. And it hopes to be financially stable in the next five years.
Founder and director of services Joe Mawdsley said: "The local community should be proud of what they have achieved.
"If it wasn't for them we wouldn't continue to stay open. And in five years we want to be viable. That's our long-term goal."
The charity was founded in 2001 by Joe, whose sons Thomas and William both suffer from a life-threatening genetic condition.
Now more than 180 disabled and brain-injured children use Rainbow House's services each week, including nursery places, conductive education and physiotherapy.
Joe added: "We want people to know how their help is benefiting disabled children.
"More than 20 children aged under five have learned to walk independently. They would not have had that opportunity without the donations people give."
Parents are asked to pay 28 each towards the cost of weekly rehabilitation sessions, but this covers just a quarter of the total cost. Children whose parents cannot afford to pay now receive help from sponsorship.
The charity aims to reach its 1.3m target by the end of the financial year. Joe said: "Half a million pounds is our target over the next four months.
"Then we will be completely out of debt, we will own our site and go into next year building a better future for these children.
"We've got massive plans for next year, with a sports therapy unit, hydrotherapy pool and accommodation lodges for short breaks. People of Lancashire should have such amazing facilities on their doorstep."
To make a donation to Rainbow House, organise a fundraising event or sponsor a child, call 01704 823276 or visit www.justgiving.com/rainbowhouse/donate
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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