A Trowbridge firm of funeral directors is looking to adopt Stepping Stones special needs nursery as its charity of the year after reading of its financial plight in the Wiltshire Times.

Barker and Courtiers in Bond Street gathered books, games and toys as part of an Easter collection, but now staff want to continue their efforts to help.

Funeral service arranger Sarah Bull said: “I used to volunteer at Stepping Stones when I was at college and the funeral director Steve Coke’s nephew used the service years ago.”

Stepping Stones, at Longfield Children’s Centre, Trowbridge, lost £10,000 of funding from Wiltshire Council in February after the Government withdrew its Aiming High For Disabled Children grants.

The Wiltshire Times launched the Give Us a Chance campaign in March to help the charity make up the shortfall and the current tally stands at £12,072.

Mrs Bull said: “We want to thank everyone for their support. Sainsbury’s donated Easter eggs and stationery, while West Wiltshire Crematorium and James Long Memorial Masonry contributed lots of Easter eggs.”

Mrs Bull and Mr Coke delivered the donations on Friday and got a tour of the centre.

Mrs Bull said: “Stepping Stones has a lovely atmosphere. We hope to make it our charity of the year.”

Stepping Stones administrator Barbara Jansen said: “They managed to raise enough for every child to have an Easter egg, which is fantastic. There were also donations of suitable toys and books for children who perhaps are too young to have chocolate or children who can’t have chocolate because of dietary needs.

“All these donations, people choosing us as charity of the year, and the ongoing support is all directly as a result of the Wiltshire Times campaign.”