A LEARNING disabilities charity is half way to buying a "ground-breaking" inflatable sport arena, thanks to a donation from the Worcester News’ publisher Newsquest.

We have presented a cheque for £10,000 to The Myriad Centre, after the charity applied for funding from an annual grants scheme run by the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Newsquest's parent company, Gannett.

The charity, based in Worcester, is now waiting for another £10,000 grant before it buys the sports equipment, which will be used by people with profound learning disabilities.

Simon Quigley, chief executive of The Myriad Centre, said: "It is a very exciting project. I think it is going to be ground breaking in its own way. It is an opportunity for disabled people to do ordinary things.

"It [the inflatable equipment] will allow us to go out to any venue. It give us an opportunity to go to any car park, any field, inside or outside - it is a really exciting project."

The equipment is about the size of a basketball court and is surrounded by an inflatable ring. The floor is made from plastic and is marked out with a boccia court. The £10,000 from Newsquest will part-fund the project.

The two grants make up just part of the £40,000 Newsquest is handing out to charities in communities across the Midlands and Gloucestershire.

Other titles handing out grants are the Halesowen News, Redditch Advertiser, Kidderminster Shuttle and the Gloucestershire Gazette.

The Gannett Foundation UK, which makes the grants, retains a modest reserve to cater for urgent applications until the next round of awards in November 2017.

Applications can be made through any local Newsquest Media Group editor.