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Children with complex disabilities in Caerphilly will be able to access specialist play clubs thanks to a £60,000 donation.

The money has been given to the Sparkle charity from the South Wales Freemasons, and will help provide twice-weekly play clubs for children between the ages of five and 11 with disabilities or developmental difficulties.

The sessions will run at Caerphilly Children’s Centre in Energlyn and will be led by trained supervisors able to support children with a range of diagnoses, such as autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down’s syndrome and more.

The Clubs will take place weekly on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings and will include sensory play, active play, crafts and basic cooking, such as making rice crispy cakes.

While there is an entry charge, Sparkle has a hardship fund available to ensure no child is denied access to its services.

Ian Edwards, Sparkle fundraising manager, said: “We’re very grateful to South Wales Freemasons for their generous grant which will provide a play facility for local children with very complex disabilities that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the Caerphilly area.

“It gives the children a chance to have fun, make friends and learn important social skills.”

Phil Saunders, from South Wales Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support Sparkle with their hugely important play clubs for local children with disabilities and developmental difficulties.

“It’s not just the children who will benefit as the time they spend at the clubs will allow their parents to have a regular break, giving them a chance to spend time with non-disabled brothers and sisters.”