PARENTS of children attending a "godsend" special needs centre in Worcester are urging people to wish upon a star and raise money for more unique facilities.

Marks & Spencer has pledged to donate up to £50,000 to UK charity I CAN, which set up the city's Early Years Language Centre four years ago, in return for Rainbows of Hope displayed in its shops in June.

By popping into their local store with a wish, shoppers could help set up at least one centre for children with speech and language problems in every region by spring next year.

Miranda Gailey, mum of three-year-old verbal dyspraxia sufferer Luke, said the Midland's only I CAN centre, based at Cranham Drive Primary School, was a godsend.

"When Luke was coming up to 18 months old, I noticed he wasn't saying anything properly, not even mummy and daddy," she said.

"It was like verbal spaghetti and, already having a six-year-old, we knew it wasn't right.

"Our health visitor said children usually said around 60 words by the time they were two."

She said after a year of basic exercises with a community speech therapist, Luke was referred to Worcester's I CAN centre, which prepares three to five-year-olds for mainstream school.

"They have taught him the basic tools of communication and, more than anything, have given him a phenomenal amount of self confidence," the 34-year-old, of Stanway Close, Warndon Villages, said.

"I couldn't praise the centre more."

With fewer than one in five nursery schools having staff trained to support children with speech and language difficulties, I CAN - one of five charities nominated by the Queen for her Jubilee year - aims to combine therapy with a pre-school education programme.

Children from as far as Hagley, near Birmingham attend the Worcester centre's twice-weekly sessions, run by teacher Kathryn John, a speech therapist and an assistant.

"Our vision is to create a society where the special needs of children with speech and language problems are recognised, understood and met," said Ms John.

"This will then allow them to have the same opportunities in life as other children."

A successful Rainbows of Hope appeal will enable other centres to start Early Years programmes, which are half funded by I CAN for two years and the LEA and NHS from then on.

For more information about the appeal or the charity's work call 0870 010 4066.

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