MEGAN Baker House is one of those places that is quite simply an inspiration.

It is arguably the leading provider of conductive education in the UK, a form of education that helps in particular young children with motor disabilities such as cerebral palsy, dyspraxia and the like.

But it’s also there for older people with early onset Parkinsons, helping each individual who steps foot inside its North Herefordshire centre to discover, or rediscover, the ability to control their bodies and overcome at least some of their disabilities and motor issues.

Youngsters quickly understand that being part of the regime the charity offers will allow them to master many life skills and control their movements in a way that most of us take for granted.

Just for a moment, try and imagine the heart-wrenching distress a parent feels when told their child has cerebral palsy and may need help to undertake pretty much every action they make, for the rest of their lives.

Some of the parents of the children who go to Megan Baker House have spoken about the despair that overtakes them, made worse when, as often happens, doctors tell them to prepare for a life of constant support for that child because they won’t be able to do anything for themselves.

Against that bleak prediction, now imagine the relief and joy that a parent feels when they are told that there is help available and it is called Megan Baker House.

It is a charity that will do everything it can to help a young child take at least a degree of control of their disabilities and begin to do things for him or herself.

The simple act of the child being able to brush their own teeth or hair, to feed themselves albeit slowly, or to go to the toilet on their own – things that a few short months before, they thought would be impossible, is quite staggering in its intensity.

There are also children MBH help to learn to walk, with or without aids.

It is to support even more children and their families that MBH has joined with The Hereford Times to launch Project Chrysalis – an appeal to raise at least £35,000 during 2017.

The charity receives no government funding and must raise all the money it needs to continue offering free conductive education to children through fundraising and the generosity of businesses and individuals that support the work it does.

The stark reality is that MBH has to raise almost £7,000 a week to survive, in order to be able to continue to offer its help to the 80 children that pass through its doors every year.

To expand the help it can offer and welcome the many more children on its waiting list, more funds are needed.

It costs around £3,500 a year to provide conductive education to one child which is why this appeal is targeting £35,000 – to cover the costs of one year’s Conductive Education for 10 youngsters during 2017.

Over the next few weeks, through these pages, we will introduce you to some of the children and their families – who have experienced the highs and the lows of life with cerebral palsy – and who are grateful for the support they have had from Megan Baker House and in many cases still do including Megan, Jack, Charlie Sophie and many more.

MBH’s Chief Executive Lee Gough, who has been responsible for ensuring the funding is in place week after week since she joined Megan Baker House back in 2006, said: “This appeal – the Chrysalis project – is vital for us as a charity. We all know that these are difficult times for charities across the UK – not just us.

“But we have survived and thrived because of the incredible support we have had from so many people and businesses over the years.

“But sometimes, you simply have to work a little bit harder to generate the income we need to keep on providing the support that the children and their families need from us.

“There are dark days when nothing seems to be working and then out of the blue we’ll receive good news about a request we have made for funds from this organisation or that trust – and we can all relax again for a few days!

“This appeal and the help we are getting from The Hereford Times is a very important opportunity for us and we would like to thank anyone who decides to support us as a result of reading this.

“I’d like to issue an invitation to anyone who would like to come and see us at work to do so – just call either my colleague Zoe or myself and we will organise a time when you can come and see us and I promise you – you will leave here inspired.”

Find out more about the project here.