CLAIRE House has received an early Christmas present of specially-adapted new toys following a Cheshire-based housebuilding firm's barbecue.

Archway Homes donated £1,235 – half of the proceeds from a summer barbecue – to enable the charity to buy new switch toys.

The toys are activated by the push of a large button or switch, making them easy for children who don't have fine motor skills control, or may have other impairments, to use.

Samantha Dean, sales manager for Archway Homes, said: "As a family-run business, building family homes across Cheshire, we felt that Claire House was a natural choice for us to support.

"We can't begin to imagine what it's like to have a child who is seriously ill, but want to help play a part in enabling them to enjoy a sense of normality.

"We hope they have lots of fun playing with the new switch toys purchased thanks to the generosity of our staff, contractors and suppliers."

Claire House Children's Hospice helps seriously and terminally-ill children live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life.

By providing specialist nursing care and emotional support we help families smile again when life couldn't get any tougher.

Emma Newell, from Claire House, said: "The play team at Claire House were really excited to receive the donation from Archway Homes.

"It's enabled them to source new switch toys, which have been specially adapted for easy use by children with learning disabilities, sensory impairments or physical disabilities.

"The toys are already being put to good use by the children, helping them learn about cause and effect as well as being lots of fun."