A COMMUNITY centre has launched a fundraising appeal to buy a specialist chair which will allow disabled people to relax outside of their normal wheelchair.

Staff at Elton Community Centre need £3,000 to purchase the chair, which will allow disabled people who use the centre to enjoy activities without being constrained by their wheelchair.

The money will be used to buy the main chair base, as well as a range of different cushions so that people suffering from posture-related conditions, such as scoliosis, can be supported comfortably.

As part of the fundraising drive, the centre, based in David Street, will hold a Chinese New Year coffee morning on February 18, which will celebrate the holiday with traditional Chinese cakes alongside tea, coffee and a raffle, from 10am to noon.

Alison Messenger, senior day service officer at the centre, said: "The specialist chair we want to buy will offer people with profound and complex needs a different way of spending time outside of their wheelchairs.

"At the moment, people can be supported to lie down on our beanbags but this new chair will enable people to be supported to sit upright in a comfortable position and take in their surroundings or join in activities with the rest of the group."

The appeal has already got underway, with Elton councillor James Frith presenting a cheque for £200 to staff at the centre, which was raised at a social event organised by members of the Labour Party in Bury.

Cllr Frith said: "It was a pleasure to raise some money to kick start the centre's fundraising appeal for this vital new equipment which will be beneficial to some of our most vulnerable residents.

"We will continue to work with the centre and provide all the support we can to the important services they provide."

Donations can be dropped off at the centre.

For more information: call 0161 253 6697.