A Wirral charity helping children with cerebral palsy has appointed a new chief executive and fundraising manager.

Sarah Smithson, Stick 'n' Step's former operations manager and acting chief executive for the last 15 months is now in the top job. She has worked for the charity since being appointed operations manager in 2006.

Back then, just 40 children with cerebral palsy attended the first Stick ‘n’ Step centre at St John’s Catholic Church in New Ferry. 

Now, with its two centres in Wallasey and Runcorn, Stick ‘n’ Step supports more than 100 children, young people and their families from across the north west.

Mrs Smithson said: "It’s been such a privilege to have been involved with Stick ‘n’ Step from its earliest days and seen it grow and evolve.

"I'm very proud of everything we have achieved and so pleased that we are reaching a wider age range than ever before, with the recent introduction of our Early Intervention Programme for babies.

"I am honoured by the trust placed in me to take the charity forward to the next stage in its development. I am also delighted to welcome Norma to the team."

The charity 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.

Norma Young is the charity’s new senior grants and trusts fundraising manager.

With a background in social services and the NHS, Norma has 'wide-ranging' experience across all fundraising sectors, having worked most recently at St Ann’s Hospice in Manchester and North West Cancer Research in Liverpool.

Back then, just 40 children with cerebral palsy attended the first Stick ‘n’ Step centre at St John’s Catholic Church in New Ferry.

Now, with its two centres in Wallasey and Runcorn, the charity supports more than 100 children, young people and their families from across the north west.

Norma Young, who lives near Formby, joins Stick ‘n’ Step to head up the charity’s fundraising team.

With a background in social services and the NHS, Norma has 'wide-ranging' experience across all fundraising sectors, having worked most recently at St Ann’s Hospice in Manchester and North West Cancer Research in Liverpool.

Norma said: "I’m looking forward to rising to the challenge of meeting our financial targets and delivering our services to the families who need our support across the region.

"The positivity and optimism of the team at Stick ‘n’ Step is second to none and I’m so pleased to be joining them at this exciting stage in their journey.”

For more about the charity, visit www.sticknstep.org or call 01978 437070.