Some 200 guests raised over £63,000 at a Wizard of Oz-themed ‘Over the Rainbow’ dinner on behalf of The London Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy on Thursday 19 May.

Hosted by top comedian Tim Vine, the evening raised funds for the Centre’s Milkshake Tree Appeal towards a new building and facilities for children with cerebral palsy and other movement disorders and their families.  

The money raised will go towards setting up a much-needed Parents’ Information Hub at the charity’s expanded new Centre in Coppetts Road, Muswell Hill.

Jo Honigmann, the charity’s CEO, said:

“We are delighted at the fantastic support shown tonight.

It is a stark reality that, despite technological advances and refined anti-discrimination legislation, life for many disabled children and their families remains an uphill battle. Parents and their children can be isolated and may not know where to go for help or advice.

That’s why we want to create a bespoke Parents’ Information Hub as a key part of our new Centre.

The Hub will be a warm and welcoming space for parents and carers, where they can access   information about a range of services including education, health and social care, meet each other and exchange ideas and information in a supportive environment.

There will be computers, a small library, a space for making drinks, a meeting table as well as comfortable chairs for more relaxed chats or reading.

The Hub will open out onto a sensory roof garden, which parents will also be able to enjoy in the warmer months.”

The Milkshake Tree Appeal is raising funds to build a new Centre. This will enable the charity to increase its services and facilities to help many more disabled children and adults with cerebral palsy and other movement disorders to achieve their full potential.

The new building will include a hydrotherapy pool, classroom and therapy spaces, an accessible kitchen, a sensory garden, an accessible playground and a Parents’ Information Hub, among other innovative features.

For more information about the Appeal, visit our Justgiving page or the Centre’s website.