A CHARITY that supports children with special needs has been given a cash injection by Comic Relief.

Southampton Opportunity Group provides structured activities for babies and toddlers who have additional needs.

The organisation, which is staffed by volunteers, receives no government funding and relies solely on grants, fundraising and donations.

A mum whose son attended the group, Carolyn Allen said: “I didn’t want to come to the group initially because I was nervous; people with children who have additional needs tend to feel alone, like no one else is going through what they are.

“But now I have been volunteering with the group for seven years, without Comic Relief, families would have little support, we bridge the gap between diagnosis and facilitating emotional and developmental needs.”

The charity initially operated from Hardmoor Early Years Centre twice a week but have now expanded their services and have and additional weekly session at Thornhill Sure Start Centre and one Saturday morning session that runs every other weekend at Hardmoor.