Children at Percy Hedley Hillcrest Northern Counties Nursery are looking forward to enjoying a new play area after help from staff at Thompsons Solicitors.

Thompsons specialist clinical negligence team, based in Newcastle, raised more than £1,500 during a wine tasting evening at the Biscuit Factory art gallery in Newcastle.

The money will help create a garden and sensory play area for children at the nursery, based in Tankerville Crescent, Newcastle.

It has helped to buy resources and equipment which will create a stimulating learning environment for 47 children aged between three months and eight-years-old.

Janet Allan, who heads up the team at Thompsons Solicitors said: “We are delighted we have been able to raise so much money for such a worthwhile cause. The Percy Hedley Foundation does so much to support disabled children of all ages and we wanted to help them build their dream of a sensory garden for the nursery.”

Sandra Phelps from Hillcrest Nursery added: “This money will go a long way to helping us to build a sensory garden for the children, which will be an ideal place for them to learn about the great outdoors. It will particularly help those with sensory impairment but the end result will be of benefit to everyone at Hillcrest.”

The nursery was set up by the Percy Hedley Foundation in response to the need expressed by parents of disabled children for specialist all-day nursery. The garden is an ongoing project which will continue to change and develop according to the needs of the children to help develop their speaking and listening skills alongside creative and imaginative play.