A COMMUNITY centre given a fresh start after the New Ferry explosion has praised the public's overwhelming support as it appeals for more donations and volunteers.

PHAB opened a charity shop in New Ferry precinct in April 2016.

But its premises were destroyed in the blast that rocked the town on March 25, 2017 and the shop later moved to former supermarket premises on New Chester Road.

The idea was to generate an income to offer free holidays for members with special educational needs as well as offering a retail experience for the local community.

The organisation has recently taken more than 400 members free of charge to Pontin Prestatyn and Bendrigg Lodge – a special need outward bound centre in Cumbria.

Lorna Howell, co-chairperson of the PHAB centre told the Globe today: "Our main aim is to keep doing what we are doing; that is, bringing the community together following the events of two years ago.

"We have helped develop a strong sense of community.

"We were extremely fortunate to have been given this space following the explosion and it has been a blessing in disguise.

"Over the last two years we have been able to help a number of people from Wirral – that is people who were directly affected by the blast, right through to people who volunteer in the building, who have disabilities.

"We have 27 volunteers in the building and only five of them don’t have any disabilities whatsoever.

"We promote and encourage people to be the best that they can be, regardless of ability.

"We've helped over 40 people maintain a low-level retail qualification from Wirral Met, we have a stroke support charity in the building.

"We have a number of classes, such as British sign language group right the way through to guitar workshops, pottery workshops, therapeutic drumming workshops; our oldest member is 92, so there’s a large variety of ages taking part.

"I would like to start a woodwork shop, for example.

"We support other groups and support other charities.

"We have lot going on and we want to encourage more people to take part.

"We want to continue going, so people aren't getting lost and becoming isolated, because that's our ethos, to end social isolation.

“We don’t just do this to help people with disabilities, we do this to help everybody, regardless of who they are and whatever their issues are.

"For example we've helped homeless people and victims of domestic violence.

"We have achieved a lot over the two years and need more donations to help fund our crucial work.

"It's a happy place and we welcome everybody.

"Help us help people, so no-one is left behind.

"For a long time after the explosion, people just focused on the explosion, but they just want to move on."

The centre has organised a number of events over the last two years to raise awareness of its work.

The next is a health and wellness day, Viking camp and yoga sessions at the centre on Saturday, June 8.