SEVEN months after launching our Sparkle Appeal and we have raised £50,000 from people eager to support the worthwhile cause.

People from across Gwent have taken the appeal to their hearts and have raised money to help special children.

We launched the appeal in December with aim of raising £250,000 towards a £6 million centre for disabled children in Newport, south Monmouthshire and Torfaen.

In the past seven months the response has been amazing with cash donations, organised fundraising events and volunteers offering their time to help raise the £50,000 - which includes pledged money.

People of all ages - from young children to pensioners - have given their own time to raise money for our worthwhile appeal and helped us reach this amount.

In the coming months even more events are planned to raise money and awareness of how important this centre is for thousands of disabled children and their families.

Tina White, project development manager, said she was thrilled with the total so far and that people had taken the appeal to their hearts, but there was still more to do.

She said: "There are so many events we know are being organised, I am confident that the £250,000 target will be met.

"I would like to say a very big and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us, and to all those I know will be supporting us in the coming months."