A CHARITY is appealing for £50,000 for its centre which improves the lives of disabled teenagers and their parents.

The Parents Consortium plans to open its short breaks unit in Hextable for disabled 14 to 18-year-olds in December, but it needs around £50,000 to get the centre up and running.

Teenagers will be able to stay at the unit to give their families a break from caring for them, and the money is needed for the salary of a residential manager, furniture, and cleaning and electrical equipment.

Alan Milner, services director for the north west Kent charity for disabled youngsters, says the unit will give the teenagers independence and allow their families to “recharge their batteries”.

So far, around £39,000 has been spent on renovating and furnishing the unit, which is part of the charity’s Allsworth Court centre in St David's Road.

For information on the charity, or to make a donation, go to parentsconsortium.co.uk or call Isabel Shuter on 01322 668501.