THE Wingate Centre is inviting the community to help celebrate its 30th birthday.

In 1988, thanks to the dedication of eight local families, the Wingate Centre in Wrenbury first opened its doors, offering gymnastics classes to local disabled children.

Thirty years on, its services, now with a focus on disability fitness classes, are still very much in demand.

Each week more than 200 people visit the centre from across Cheshire and Shropshire for sport and recreational activities.

To date, 10,000 people have had a respite holiday at the Wingate Centre.

A centre spokesman said: "We want to continue brightening the lives of children for the next 30 years, but we need the support of the local community to help us to do that.

"We need to raise £300,000 each year to support local children like Meghan."

Meghan is six years old, she lives in Nantwich and comes to the Wingate Centre each week.

She has Cerebral Palsy, development delay, visual impairment, epilepsy and is non-verbal. She needs 24/7 care.

Meghan’s mum Amanda said: “Before she came to the Wingate Centre Meghan was very clingy. She would not make eye contact with anyone else and would get really upset.

"Since coming to the Centre Meghan has become very sociable. She has made a bond through trust with the gym staff.

"The Wingate Centre is priceless to us as a family, just to see Meghan so happy and achieving goals that we never thought she would reach.

"As parents of a disabled child, we face obstacles constantly. The Wingate Centre enables Meghan to be Meghan with no obstacles.

"The staff believe in her and what she can do, not what she cannot."

To celebrate the centre's 30th birthday it is inviting the community to jump on over and join with its 30th birthday party and sponsored bounce at the centre from 10.30am on Sunday, March 25.

A centre spokesman said: "One of our brightest stars, our Vice President and Olympic Silver Medallist in Rio 2016 Bryony Page, who trained at our mainstream trampoline classes, is hosting the event.

"Doors open at 10.30am and our bounce is open to all ages and abilities; please get in touch for an application pack.

"The Cheshire Gymnastics Display Team and the funkychoir.com will be there to celebrate with us. We will be joined by clients past and present and some local VIPs too - and, of course, there will be birthday cake!

"Can’t make it? We are sorry we’ll miss you. However, there are other ways you can help us to support children like Meghan by fundraising on our behalf or making a donation for example.

"We’d love to chat with you about your ideas. Please do get in touch and help us to brighten lives for another 30 years."