Wirral charity Stick ‘n’ Step prepare for visit to Barnstondale

Stick ‘n’ Step provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 25, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live more independent lives.

Divided into two groups, more than 60 children will visit the local countryside inclusive outdoor education activity centre, Barnstondale, in Wirral, while the other group is going to The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust in Cheshire after school's have broken up in July.

Some youngsters will be having a residential experience and stay overnight, while others will be enjoying plenty of fun during day visits.

Jude from Wallasey, aged 5 (Image: Stick n Step)

A whole host of exciting activities are planned for the Stick ‘n’ Step visitors, from arts, bushcraft and music to abseiling, archery, trampolining and a campfire, not to mention meeting some friendly farm animals too.

The trips are made possible thanks to Barbara Ward Children’s Foundation and CP Sports from the Sport England Together Fund, which are covering the majority of the costs of the visits between them.

Interim Chief Executive at Stick ‘n’ Step, Sarah Smithson, said: "The children at Stick ‘n’ Step, not to mention the staff, really look forward to this summertime treat the whole year round. It’s an incredible opportunity for the children to take part in exciting activities, learn new skills and build confidence in their abilities.

"Our goal at Stick ‘n’ Step is always for every child who attends our centres to be able to fulfil their personal potential and these off-site experiences are an invaluable way of helping them do just that. We are so grateful to our generous supporters who have enabled these trips to go ahead this year."

The charity relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to over 100 families each year at its Wallasey and Runcorn centres.

Find out more about the charity by visiting www.sticknstep.org.