CHILDREN with special needs will benefit "enormously" after a charity was handed a major cash boost.

Lord Rooker, the president of Children F1rst Lewisham, has donated £45,000 to the charity to help fund its new care centre in Rushey Green, Catford.

The centre is due to open next summer and will provide facilities for children with special needs, including a gym, a sensory room and a play area.

Lord Rooker says he is donating the money in memory of his late wife Lady Angela Rooker, who worked with special needs classes at Lewisham College for 25 years.

He said: "Children with special needs will benefit enormously from this wonderful new centre.

"It will provide an area where children can play, relax and enjoy their time."

The new centre, which will cost £13.3m, is also being funded by a several healthcare organisations, including Lewisham Primary Care Trust.