A SPECIALIST school in Poole has launched a new fundraising initiative in a bid to raise £6,000.

Langside School, which is run by Dorset disability charity Diverse Abilities, has launched a Diamond League of supporters as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.

It is aiming to raise £6,000 to fund the school's entire nursing costs until the end of the calendar year. A donation of £600 can help to pay for a nurse at Langside for one week.

The team of nurses enable the children to receive the specialist care they require within a safe environment where children can learn and flourish.

Lead nurse Hazel Thomas said: “I’ve been nursing for Diverse Abilities, based at Langside School, for more than 18 years so have seen a generation of children grow from little ones up to adult services. It’s a cliché, I know, but it’s been such a privilege to be involved in the lives of these families and to support them, not just through the difficult times but when everything is going well you can see a child thriving.

"We have a great team at Langside and one of the strengths of the organisation is the way people from different professions and experiences come together to work out the best way to support the children and adults in our care."

Having nursing and therapy support at Langside enables the children with complex and varying health needs to receive regular input from health professionals to adapt and implement programmes of care according to their changing needs.

To make a donation and join the Diamond League of supporters, visit diverseabilities.org.uk/diamondleague/ for more information.

Supporters of the charity and members of the Diamond League are invited to a VIP reception at Colten Care’s Bourne View on Langside Avenue, on Thursday, October 17.