STAFF and children at Stick ‘n’ Step recently celebrated the first anniversary of the charity’s second centre in Runcorn.

Special guests from the business community and councillors from Halton Borough Council attended the centre on York Street to witness at first-hand some of the work the charity carries out with children from across the region.

As well as watching presentations made by some of the young people who have attended conductive education classes at Stick ‘n’ Step, guests were also invited to take part in a treasure hunt with a difference.

They were faced with a number of challenges, such as having to manipulate tiny objects while wearing ski gloves, ‘hooking a duck’ and completing team challenges in silence, to try and replicate some of the daily challenges faced by children with cerebral palsy.

Chief executive of Stick ‘n’ Step Amy Couture said: “This was an excellent opportunity for us to show the community how our conductive education classes help children with cerebral palsy maximise their potential.

"We have only been open in Runcorn for a year and we are already welcoming children from more than 30 families to the new centre. It was lovely to see so many of them here, celebrating with us, with so many local businesses.”

David Parr CEO at Halton Borough Council added: “The council’s executive board has awarded voluntary sector core grant funding to Stick ‘n' Step to assist them with the great work they do in our community. The council is proud to be working in partnership with this charity, one of many fantastic charities in Halton and I would urge businesses in the area to find out more about it and get involved.”

Stick ‘n’ Step offers support services to children with cerebral palsy and their families. The charity provides the children with free conductive education sessions, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live independent lives. Children from 97 families from across the region, attend these sessions weekly or twice weekly at the charity’s Runcorn and Wallasey centres.

To find out how to help fundraising or to access support from Stick ‘n’ Step, call the Runcorn centre on 01928 573777.

For more information on the charity, please go to www.sticknstep.org.