A CHARITY supporting West Dorset families is hoping to hit the heights at this weekend’s Weymouth Kite Festival.

Diverse Abilities Plus, which supports over 45 families in the area, is urging people to come along and help at their stand on Weymouth Beach.

It is running a stand at the event on Sunday, just behind the main display where a team of volunteers will be providing family activities such as face painting and child-friendly tattoos.

Diverse Abilities Plus supports children, adults and their families in Dorset throughout their life.

One of its main offerings in West Dorset is the Coping with Chaos Play Opportunities service at Wyvern School during the school holidays, a specialist school for cognition and learning.

It also provides short breaks for families with children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

The charity is hoping the kite festival will provide a major opportunity to raise awareness of its work.

Ashley Weedon from Diverse Abilities Plus said: “We’re often told that a service in the region is invaluable.

“We want to be able to reach out to even more families in this area that need us.

“To do this we need the help of volunteers at the kite festival to raise awareness and funds for the charity so that further Play Opportunity sessions can be provided.

“Getting support from volunteers will really help us raise further funds and awareness of what we do so we can assist families.”

Helping the charity will boost its work for families like that of Sue House, from Dorchester, who has six children two of whom have disabilities and use the Play Opportunity Service.

She said: “Life is hard work and I value the sessions at Wyvern School.

“They give me and the family a break, but also give the children one-to-one sessions that really benefit them.

“It’s also great to meet other families in similar situations.

“More families should be able to benefit from the service so I hope the charity signs up more volunteers.”

To support Diverse Abilities Plus visit the stand or call Ashley on 01202 718266.

For more information about the charity visit diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk

BEACH KITE FUN FOR ALL

The Weymouth Beach Kite Festival runs from Saturday, May 5, to Monday, May 7.

The popular festival will include a wide variety of kite competitions and displays from experts coming from as far as Canada.

There will also be a kite trade village for people to buy their own kites with expert advice on how to fly them.

A series of workshops will enable youngsters to create and fly their own kites and there will be a kite festival fun fair at the Pavilion.