FAMILIES with disabled children in Ryedale are celebrating a special lottery boost worth nearly £200,000.

Ryedale Special Families, which gives support and advice to parents and carers of children with any special needs, has been awarded £185,854 by the National Lottery Charities Board.

Trustees, parents and staff said they were delighted and said the money meant their work could continue.

It will mean their work is guaranteed for the next three years and will be used for core costs, including the funding of two new posts.

Chairman Gillian Roberts said: "Support groups like Ryedale Special Families are essential for the parents of children with special needs. The great strength of this group is that it is led by parents and owned by parents and all its work is developed in response to their suggestions.

"I am thrilled with the grant from the National Lottery Fund - but even though it sounds like a lot of money, we already know how every penny will be spent.

"The next three years will see some exciting new projects as well as consolidating the unique service to families we already provide."

The group already provides services including a drop-in centre for families, a telephone help-line, home visits and a respite care scheme.

Plans for the next six months include a trip to Blackpool illuminations, an information day about parents' concerns about education and an information booklet written by parents.

The charity is also going to take on two part-time workers, a co-ordinator to take over the running of the respite care scheme and an activity worker to organise events.

Mandy Smith, development officer, said the charity received the news about the funding only hours before their previous funding expired.

She said: "This is marvellous news - the vision of a group of parents five years ago has become a reality. They wanted their own drop-in centre where children can play, while parents can offer each other support, share experiences and find out information in a homely, friendly environment."

Ryedale Special Families started when a group of parents of disabled children met for mutual support. In 1997 they won a grant from BBC Children in Need and employed Mandy Smith.

The group now supports 115 parents in the region. The trustees are all parents of a child with special needs and are supported by an advisory group of professionals.