TROWBRIDGE children’s charity Stepping Stones is inviting past and present pupils to come to a family picnic event at Oasis Academy Longmeadow’s playing field to celebrate its 40th birthday.

The centre, which provides support to children with learning difficulties and disabilities in the west Wiltshire area, wants as many pupils as possible from the last 40 years to come along to the celebration on July 4.

Stepping Stones was set up in 1975 by a group of parents who felt that there was not enough support for young children with special needs, with the group initially located in Polebarn Road.

It moved to its current location at Longfield Children’s Centre in Broadcloth Lane in 2010 and has grown from strength to strength ever since, providing support to around 100 children a year through specialised sessions.

Stepping Stones manager Debbie Wickham said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have been a sustainable service supporting children with special needs and their families for the last 40 years. It’s a real milestone for us.

“We had a lovely celebration ball back in April, but we wanted to do something to celebrate with the children, both past and present, so we would love to see all our success stories and all the little people who have now grown up.

“People can stay for as long as they like and it will be a great opportunity for some of the children and parents to see how Stepping Stones has changed over the years, as most will be familiar with us when we were in Polebarn Road.

“Stepping Stones was the first place in the area to bring parents, volunteers, speech and language therapists, educators and social care workers together in one setting and it is incredible to think about how far we have come.”

Stepping Stones caters for children from birth to five years old with a wide range of different conditions, such as Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism.

The centre lost £10,000 funding from Wiltshire Council last year after central government withdrew its Aiming High For Disabled Children grants, but was able to raise almost £40,000 thanks to the Wiltshire Times’ Give Us A Chance Appeal.

Even before the annual grant was cut, Stepping Stones had to raise in excess of £40,000 a year through fundraising to cover its running costs, relying on the generosity of members of the public and businesses to continue providing its service.

Mrs Wickham, who first came into contact with the centre when her son was referred 18 years ago, added: “Stepping Stones only survives because of the generosity of the west Wiltshire community, with people doing all sorts to raise funds for us.

“It is a service for the community, supported by the community and I believe that’s why we are so successful. The picnic will be a great way to celebrate a landmark achievement.”

For more information about Stepping Stones or the birthday celebration, contact 01225 350004 or visit www.steppingstonestrowbridge.co.uk