THERE is an eye-catching picture on the wall of James Allen's playroom at his Newport home.

Four colourful figures are lined up, their stance unmistakably celebratory, and James is more than happy to explain what the picture means.

It is an image that was a source of celebration, too, for his parents, Ronnie and Linda, another landmark in their son's development in the face of cerebral palsy.

"He was ten years old when he brought that home, and it was the first picture he'd painted where you could identify figures. Before that they tended to be abstract and all the colours were mixed up together," said Mrs Allen.

"It's lovely and we knew it had to take pride of place." Linda Allen's pride in her son's achievements is matched by her determination that he be given every opportunity to reach his full potential. She knew when he was just six months old that he had problems, but the diagnosis of cerebral palsy did not come until he was aged 16 months.

"I don't care that James had a label of cerebral palsy. I wanted a label so I could then go and do something about it, and learn about it," she said.

James' physical, speech and language difficulties began to be addressed with the help of intensive physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, which brought the family into contact with what Mrs Allen calls "those wonderful people" at Eveswell clinic in Newport.

"Nothing was too much trouble for them, and the dedication they have shown to James and others is incredible," she said.

James now has good mobility, and though his speech is halting at times, he has an excellent vocabulary. Recent problems with his schooling have presented his parents with an educational headache, but he begins at Maes Ebbw special school in January, where they hope he will thrive.

The South Gwent Children's Foundation is the charity behind the Sparkle Appeal, which the Argus is supporting with a pledge to raise £250,000. A mighty £6m is required overall, and the foundation is exploring several potential avenues of funding.

The centre will be designed to assist children like James, who need the help and expertise of different agencies, such as health, education and social services.

These are problems the centre - with its under-one-roof philosophy - will look to solve. But the project also has the huge potential to end the isolation experienced by many disabled children and their families.

James Allen is a friendly, outgoing boy who likes playing with other children. Sadly, outside school, these opportunities are limited. "He misses out on friendship while he is at home. He'd give anything to have friends round," said Mrs Allen.

"The potential in the Sparkle Appeal for James, and for lots of other children, is huge."