A GRAND total of £130,000 has been raised in just two months for the Daily Echo-backed Sparkle appeal.

Organisers have been overwhelmed by the support from Sparkle supporters since the launch on at Wimborne Minster on December 5.

Appeal manager Diana Newbury said cash already collected will go towards the first phase of the bid to build much-needed new facilities at Victoria Education Centre and Sports College, between Bournemouth and Poole.

The plan is to build a replacement hydrotherapy pool and a therapy centre to be used by children aged from three to 19 with physical disabilities.

Eight purpose-built ground-floor pods will offer facilities for hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

Many of the children who attend the centre suffer from cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Others have been involved in accidents, suffered severe illness, tumours or strokes.

Diana said: “We are delighted by how much we have already raised for the new hydrotherapy pool – mostly from donations.

“We want to have £750,000 by March 2011 and the aim is to have the new pool open by the summer of 2012 in time for the Paralympics.”

More fundraising events are being planned, including a clay pigeon shoot at Purbeck shooting school on Friday, February 19. It costs £95 which includes 50 clays/cartridges, coffee and pastries on arrival plus further refreshments.

Daily Echo editor Neal Butterworth will host a charity dinner at Bournemouth’s Orchid Hotel on Thursday, March 11.

he informal and fun evening for up to 80 guests will include a three-course dinner with wine and is from 7.30-10.30pm.

Tickets are £25 each and tables of ten are available for any groups or companies wanting to make it a special night out.

Contact Stella Foster on 01202 551600 or email her at stella@orchid-hotel.co.uk for more details and to buy tickets.

Hoburne holiday park at Highcliffe will provide the venue for a charity ball on Saturday, March 27. Tickets cost £30 and include a bucks fizz reception, three-course dinner and entertainment to suit all ages. To purchase tickets phone Amanda Ellis on 0787 5991736.

To donate to the Sparkle Appeal, click the related link below for the donation form.