A LITTLE-known fund is helping some of the borough’s disabled children to live ordinary lives.

Cash from Aiming High for Disabled Children funded by the government, is providing extra resources, short breaks and even drumming lessons.

The fund helped pay for last year’s Falconwood summer holiday scheme, which provided time away from carers for children to have fun with other young people.

Helen Sharp, whose autistic son Robbie, 16, attended the scheme said: “It was fantastic.

“It started two weeks earlier than the usual summer holidays, to fit in with families of children with special needs, which was a great help.”

Juli Atkinson, whose son also attended the scheme has set up a new group with help from Aiming High, called Bexley Voice for Children with Special Needs.

She said: “Our new group aims to ensure the needs and rights of local families with disaabled children are taken into consideration.

Mrs Atkinson added: “Without this funding, it would have been very difficult to get off the ground.”

Georgia Rose used cash from the fund to pay for drumming lessons for her 10-year-old autistic son Louis.

She said: “The lessons have made a massive difference and really boosted his confidence.”

Aiming High is also helping to deliver improved health services for disabled children, especially providing better access to wheelchairs and equipment and making sure children can access short breaks despite any complex medical needs of behaviour difficulties.

Its priorities are helping those with autistic spectrum disorder, complex medical needs, severe physical impairments, severe learning disabilities and young people aged over 14 with a severe disability.

The fund runs until March 31 2011.

For details call Janine Wooster on 01322 356333 or email janine.wooster@bexley.gov.uk