ODD bits of change put into a jar by residents of a Lydney sheltered housing complex will help bring a smile to the faces of children with disabilities.

Every year the residents of Goode Court choose a charity to support by collecting coppers and other small value coins.

Together with cash raised by a Christmas event, they presented a cheque for £215 to Forest Pulse.

Forest Pulse’s charity manager, Dawn Burford, went along to Goode Court last Thursday (January 24) to receive the cheque.

She told residents: “Thank you for saving your coppers, your fund-raiser and for thinking of us. 

“It’s an amazing amount – I didn’t imagine it would be so much.

“It is very much appreciated by everyone at Forest Pulse, donations like this are incredibly important for us.

“Forest Pulse provides activities for children and young people with disabilities up to the age of 25.

“We currently have 267 member families registered. We run youth clubs for different age groups, an after school club at a local soft play centre and we are just about to start another creative music group. We are also setting up a performing arts group.

“Furthermore we provide activities during school holidays giving parents the opportunity to have some time for themselves or to spend time with their other children.

“Our members are children and young people who live or go to school in the Forest of Dean – some of them live a long way from each other, so they don’t get chance to meet up after school and do things so our clubs are vital for them to build friendships, have someone to talk to and to have the opportunities that other children may have.

“It’s vital for their development, their independence and their confidence.” 

Goode Court manager Carole Cousins said: “The residents like to support a local charity every year and Forest Pulse do a lot of good work for families who have children with disabilities.”