In March a multi-mllion-pound dream was devastated by fire . . . but the fighting spirit of the Rose Road Association has blossomed and on Monday Christmas comes early . . .

WHEN the Rose Road Association's new multi-million-pound centre was damaged in a fire just weeks before they were due to move in earlier this year - it was as if all their dreams had gone up in smoke.

The blaze caused extensive heat and smoke damage to the new building and set the move back by eight months. The future looked bleak for one of Southampton's most vital charities.

But finally a long-awaited dream has become a reality as staff and children move into the new complex this week.

For 35 years, the independent charity has been based at Rose Road, Portswood, a centre that is now decidedly cramped for its demanding needs.

As well as providing a special school for about 30 children with disabilities, the organisation offers invaluable therapy, respite care and family support - a tall order costing £2,169 a day to run.

Seven years ago, they embarked on a massive fundraising appeal to collect around £5m to build a bigger and better centre.

Now floors and walls sparkle and the smell of fresh paint hangs in the air as the finishing touches are made inside the Bradbury Centre at Aldermoor Road, Southampton.

For several weeks the new centre has become a hive of activity as community volunteers put up the fixtures and fittings in time for the big move.

With more than 100 rooms to paint, beds to make, and equipment to unpack, not to mention cleaning - there has been plenty to do. All the hard work will culminate in a special Christmas party on Monday to welcome all the children.

Heather Aspinall, chief executive of Rose Road, said: "We are really thrilled to be almost there at last. It's a culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of peoples' dreams.

"We're just grateful to the local community who have volunteered to help out with this and the fundraising."

A multitude of activities took place to raise the vast sum of money to build on two and a half acre pieces of council land that was once a landfill site.

Companies and people from in and around the community massively boosted the Rose Road Appeal by holding fashion shows, art exhibitions, fundraising walks and football memorabilia auctions to name just a few.

After the appeal was launched in October 1996, it took just seven years to raise the cash necessary to start construction in the autumn of 2001.

After the fire swept through the centre at the end of March this year plans to move in a few weeks later went out of the window.

At the time it was not clear whether it had been deliberately started by arsonists. A report from a fire investigation officer proved inconclusive.

Heather said it was a difficult time for the charity but not one that they couldn't overcome: "It was an extremely frustrating time. We had reached such an exciting moment and felt the loss so strongly. The fire set us back but not forever. We are a determined bunch of people."

With a centre that boasts state-of-the-art equipment, including a hydrotherapy pool, soft playroom and electronic hoists - it has been worth the wait. The centre can deal with 12 people in respite care instead of eight, which was the limit at the old centre and up to 40 children in the school.

It is anticipated that more than 200 children and young people will make use of the facilities.

Light, spacious corridors are lined with wheelchair bays and wall bumpers and there is an exotic palm-beach courtyard, complete with boat play area and special swings outside.

The building has been checked out by Southampton Action for Access, a group of disabled people that advises on the height for sinks, showers and baths as well as specifications for the visually impaired.

Heather said: "The new centre is going to open up a lot of opportunities for disabled people in Southampton and the surrounding area. It is a really exciting time."

A series of opening events to celebrate the move will be held in the New Year.

HALF A CENTURY OF VITAL HELP:

1952: Rose Road Association was established by a group of parents and children.

1968: The association moved into its premises at Rose Road in Portswood.

1996: The Rose Road appeal was launched to raise about £4.75m for the new state-of-the-art Bradbury Centre at Aldermoor.

2000: Plans for the centre were submitted to Southampton City Council.

2001: Construction began on the site at Aldermoor Road.

March 2003: Fire broke out in the new centre weeks before the move from Rose Road.

November 2003: Volunteers began moving equipment into the repaired centre.

December 2-5, 2003: The move is completed for the school, respite centre and appeal office.

Monday, December 8, 2003: Children will arrive for a special Christmas party in their new school.