In what is set to be a landmark year, the Parents Consortium charity has kicked off 2016 by launching a new campaign to raise funds to provide play schemes for local disabled children.

The Messenger’s Charity of the Year is aiming to raise £5,000 and give the youngsters in their care something to look forward to during the summer holidays.

The Parents Consortium is a charity providing services to disabled children, young people and their families living in the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley.

Play schemes will form part of the charity’s Short Breaks Service, which aims to take some of the pressure off parents by taking children under their wing for days out, special events and one-to-one support.

Children and young people who access the service typically have learning difficulties, complex health needs, physical or sensory impairment, autism or severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Caroline Brinkman, marketing manager at Parents Consortium, said: “Our focus this year will be to generate income so that disabled children can have some fun and be able to do things that they don’t do at home or school.

“It will give them something to look forward to in the school break as many of our children don’t go away on holiday or go out on day trips as it is too stressful for parents or they need lots of equipment to go anywhere," she said.

“These are thing that most children take for granted.

“Providing fun time for children is what Parents Consortium is good at.”

You can donate some much needed cash to the new scheme at campaign.justgiving.com/charity/parentsconsortium/playschemes.