A CHILDREN’s charity care team has opened a new office at Calmore Community Centre.

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity’s Southampton Care Team offers support to families with seriously ill children.

Supporters past and present attended the opening event, including volunteers, local businesses, community centre committee members and councillors Neville Pennman and Dean Britton.

Dawn Pond, family support manger for the Southampton care team, said: “Our new home means we can really become part of the local community. This will help us spread the message to families with seriously ill children that Rainbow Trust is here if they want our support.

“We are also hoping it will encourage people to support us to raise much needed funds, so we can reach out to even more families.”

Rainbow Trust was also able to welcome the Kemish family from Southampton, who they previously supported. Nine-year-old McKenzie celebrated being cancer free for five years last December.

Mum Amberley said: “We will be eternally grateful to Dawn and the other members of Rainbow Trust who were always there to help us through. Ask for help – it can and does make a huge difference.”

Rainbow Trust is a national charity which provides practical and emotional support to families.

It relies solely on its donations, and supporters have enabled it to help over 2,300 families with its nine teams in England.

The trust allow families who have children with life-threatening illnesses to make the most of their time together, with support along the way.