Every child deserves the chance to have fun – and a whopping £60,000 grant is making sure a Liphook charity can do just that.

Cherry Trees, which has homes in Liphook and East Clandon, provides respite care for children and young people with complex disabilities, giving families a much-needed break while ensuring children have opportunities they might otherwise struggle to access.

The funding from BBC Children in Need will help pay for activities including boat trips, theatre visits, circus workshops, farm trips and days out at attractions such as Legoland and Chessington World of Adventures.

The charity’s chief executive Sally Davies said: “We are incredibly grateful to BBC Children in Need for helping us make a difference to the lives of children and young people with complex disabilities.

“This money will make a huge difference to the children we care for, who might otherwise struggle to access the opportunities we are able to provide.”

The three-year grant will be paid in annual instalments of £20,000.

The charity’s ethos is summed up by its belief in “Child First, Disability Second” – ensuring children are recognised for who they are and given the chance to enjoy experiences that many others take for granted.

Activities cost Cherry Trees around £61,500 each year, with the BBC Children in Need funding helping secure these opportunities over the next three years.

Founded in 1980 by a group of parents and doctors, for many families, the charity has become a vital lifeline.

During the 2024/25 financial year, Cherry Trees delivered almost 55,000 hours of care to 74 children and their families, alongside organising 75 fun trips, 24 visits from entertainers and five family wellbeing days.

The charity’s work costs around £3.4 million each year, with half funded by local authorities and the remainder raised through fundraising and donations.