A TAUNTON-BASED charity that supports families raising children with disabilities or additional needs is set to win a share of a £16k cash giveaway.

Escape Support Group is one of three Somerset charities nominated in our Cash for Charities campaign, backed by the Gannett Foundation.

Ten charities in the Wales and West region have been shortlisted from reader nominations.

The money will be shared between them based on reader votes submitted using voting tokens available in the County Gazette and its sister titles.

The tokens are available to collect now. If your chosen charity receives 25 per cent of submitted votes, it will receive 25 per cent of the £16k total.

Escape supports families across the county by providing activities, days out and occasional short break holidays. 

Somerset County Gazette: Families enjoy a day out at Crealy Adventure Park in Devon.Families enjoy a day out at Crealy Adventure Park in Devon. (Image: Escape Support Group)

Escape plans to use its Cash for Charities grant to fund its events and activities for 2023 including its to-be-confirmed ‘annual special’.

This year, it arranged visits to Cadbury World, Puxton Park, We Are Curious, The Bear Trail and Alton Towers.

Somerset County Gazette: An Escape Support Group member on a trip to an aquarium.An Escape Support Group member on a trip to an aquarium. (Image: Escape Support Group)

Debbie Dyer, hub club, fundraising and admin assistant for Escape, said: “Our remit is to provide fun activities, allowing the children the opportunity to experience a positive childhood where they are integrated fully and are able to share experiences that will enhance and enrich their lives, which other children and families often take for granted. 

“These activities boost morale, increase confidence and self-esteem, improve social skills, decrease behavioural difficulties and develop and strengthen friendships.

“Activities and events specifically for our parents and carers are also arranged, providing them with respite from the often physically and mentally demanding life that caring for a disabled child entails.

 “We are planning lots of different activities and trips for next year including a carers' break to Southampton, trips to West Midland Safari Park, Paultons Park, and Bodmin Jail, and an annual special which is still to be confirmed.”

Escape runs a monthly hub club, currently funded by Children in Need, for families to attend to spend time doing activities and playing games.

This helps parents meet other members and children socialise. It also hosts a monthly bowling session for siblings and young carers, funded by Sports England.

Voting tokens can be sent to our office (County Gazette, Tangier 2, Tangier Central, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4AS). Voting closes on Sunday, November 20.