An appeal has been launched by a Huddersfield charity to raise more than £1m to create family friendly fitness facilities in the town for those who need special support.

Businesses and organisations from across Yorkshire have been joined by local MPs to launch the appeal to extend Brian Jackson House at the Yorkshire Children’s Centre in New North Parade.

The charity supports children, families and adults in need and aims to raise £1.3m to add a purpose built facility to its existing building.

Plans for the extension include a sensory garden, day care centre with outdoor play space, mobility fitness sessions, affordable rooftop cafe and a safe space for family members to ‘stay and play’ during contact time.

The annex would provide space for wheelchair sports, fitness classes for those unable to access other facilities due to confidence, age or ability and would be an affordable, accessible space for all the family.

Yorkshire businesses and philanthropists are being called on to support the work by partnering with the charity.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman and Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff are supporting the appeal.

Mr Sheerman said: “It is time we pull together to support this vital work in the heart of our county.

“Over four decades the Yorkshire Children’s Centre has relentlessly pushed the boundaries to reach out to all those who need their help.

“It is critical we support the work carried out by fantastic charities such as Yorkshire Children’s Centre. The proposed annex would benefit so many people in need.

“I am calling on Yorkshire based businesses and organisations to partner with YCC to support a prosperous future for the work of this charity.”

Yorkshire Children’s Centre was set up 40 years ago by the late Brian Jackson as a revolutionary centre for different approaches to finding solutions to social problems, and has grown into a large network hub of practical projects and services.

It already runs critical services across the county including Brian Jackson College in Heckmondwike which educates up to 34 students who are not in mainstream education, a befriending service for the elderly, a dementia readers programme, a domestic violence perpetrator programme and a training school for 16-19 year olds.

It runs a number of ‘Pass It On’ charity shops, and its work is made possible by over 180 volunteers in a dozen locations in Yorkshire.

To support the charity, click here to visit the Yorkshire Children's Centre or text YCUK40 and your amount (£1 – £30) to 70070.