A CHARITY which provides support for children with Down syndrome and their families has received £1,000 funding from a housebuilder.

Cala Homes has donated the money towards running costs for charity PSDS’s social development programme.

The charity helps and encourage children in Sussex and Surrey with Down syndrome reach their full potential.

It supports children and their families through early development groups, advice sessions for new parents, in-school guidance for teaching staff at schools and social activities.

Annual events include a summer family picnic and Christmas party.

The group was formed in 2006 by three families who each have a child with Down Syndrome and what initially began as coffee mornings quickly evolved into a registered charity affiliated with the national Down Syndrome Association.

PSDS enables parents to get together and share their experiences as well as providing important services including speech and language therapy, early educational support and occupational therapy.

The Cala Community Bursary was launched in February 2018. It invited organisations, charities and groups in Surrey and Sussex to apply to help fund projects which make a difference in the community.

PSDS was chosen as a recipient with the money going towards their fortnightly 5Club.