IT is hard to imagine, unless you have been in the same position, how it would feel as a parent to be told that your child might never be able to do anything for themselves.

Sadly, however, there are many families out there facing that very prospect. It is testament to the work of Megan Baker House, the charity based near Leominster that changes the lives of these children with conductive education, that parents describe them as a 'lifeline'.

We're aiming to help the charity extend its work a little further, by asking for your support to raise £35,000 to sponsor a year of life-changing conductive education for 10 children through our Project Chrysalis appeal.

One couple who say they cannot imagine what life would have been like without the charity are Cliff and Sally Hodges, grandparents of Hollie.

They said: "Hollie was born 10 weeks early, weighing less than 3lbs in weight on October 16 2011.

"It was a very difficult labour which Hollie and her mum were lucky to survive and Hollie spent the first 10 weeks of her life in hospitals at Birmingham and Hereford. However, her mum never really recovered and sadly died when Hollie was just 19 months, aged 39 years.

"Although Hollie failed to meet all the usual milestones such as crawling, sitting, walking and talking, it was some time before she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Having a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy is a major, life-changing event and we did not know where to turn. "By chance, we happened to come across a leaflet for Megan Baker House who offered an approach through conductive education and we were invited to a ‘hands on’ assessment."

Although understandably wary of strangers, Hollie soon relaxed thanks to the kind, patient and caring nature of those at Megan Baker House.

It gave her a 'glimmer of hope' and, when she was offered a place from September 2014, it was also a lifelines to her grandparents when there was little other support available.

"Megan Baker House understands what we are going through like no one else really does. They are a godsend to families like us and we would be lost without them.

"Since attending Megan Baker House Hollie has never looked back. Through sheer hard work and determination on both her part and the staff, she has made tremendous progress.

"Every child needs support growing up into adulthood but Megan Baker House supports the children who need that little bit more help. We can’t imagine what life would have been like for Hollie or us without the support of Megan Baker House. Family is everything to Hollie and Megan Baker House is like one big family."

You can help make a difference to the lives of other children like Hollie by donating to our Project Chrysalis appeal.

Ways to donate:

Visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/meganbakerhouse/projectchrysalis

Send a cheque to Megan Baker House, Moreton Eye, Leominster,

HR6 0DP

Call the charity on 01568 616179 to arrange a BACS transfer