A leading children's charity based on Tyneside is hoping to attract donations for groundbreaking research into cerebral palsy. The Children's Foundation, based at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, is supporting a range of projects across the North East to help youngsters with the debilitating condition. Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage, usually occurring during birth, and affects mobility. It varies in severity between different children and some symptoms can be barely noticeable. The projects which are supported by the Children's Foundation include: THE CEREBRAL PALSY RESEARCH FUND This was set up by mum Alison Baker, from Hexham, whose four-year-old son Colin Scott has cerebral palsy, in partnership with the Children's Foundation to support the work of Prof Janet Eyre and her team at the Sir James Spence Institute. They are carrying out research into possible treatments for children like Colin, and Alison has worked tirelessly with friends and family to raise more than £6,000 by organising football matches and taking part in the Great North Run. CEREBRAL PALSY ASSESSMENT CENTRE Based at the Sir James Spence Institute within the ground of the RVI, this centre is supported by the Children's Foundation and pharmaceutical company Ipsen Ltd. At the centre, specialists therapies are tailor-made for children with significant movement disorders using adapted toys to stimulate muscle control and development. The therapy is intended to be like play for the children and the activities are designed so their siblings and friends can join in. The project has also been supported by the Joicey Trust and Benfield Motor Company. The Children's Foundation works to raise valuable funds to continue supporting such projects and research into cerebral palsy and with the launch of the new Tenner Campaign, the charity is hoping to raise even more. This new campaign aims to raise £1m per year to improve the health of North East children by supporting medical research into such disabilities as cerebral palsy and NHS services for children and by creating partnership programmes that will address key health and lifestyle issues affecting young people including smoking, obesity, mental health, disability and safety. Barbara Gubbins, chief executive of the Children's Foundation said: "Supporting medical research into conditions such as cerebral palsy is one of the Children's Foundation's key aims. "We are seeking donations to fund work that will find best treatments for children with cerebral palsy to make their lives more enjoyable and fulfilling. "Therefore, we urge people across the North East to join our Tenner Campaign so that over the next 10 years we can make a significant impact by continuing to support key pieces of medical research." Alison Baker said: "As a parent it is natural to want the best for your child. Colin is a very determined little boy. "Following his example I set up the Cerebral Palsy Research Fund and set about raising money for research into the condition. I am determined to try to make a better future for him and others like him." To find out more about the Children's Foundation or to make a donation, contact (0191) 282 0000, e-mail childrens. foundation@ncl.ac.uk or go to www.thechildrensfoundation. co.uk | 
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