A FAMILY's dream to create a unique holiday haven for the disabled is becoming a reality.

Anthea and Dave Killen and their two children, Kirsty (7) and Lee (6), are leaving Bury next month to start afresh on the continent.

The family have sold their home in Hollins and so far invested more than £150,000 to build a holiday complex in Calvados, northern France, for adults and children with disabilities.

The life-changing decision has been inspired by the needs of their daughter, Kirsty, who has severe learning difficulties.

The Killens are now living in rented accommodation in Unsworth until they make the permanent move abroad to complete the project.

Anthea (32) explained: "We want to give Kirsty a better quality of life, and others like her the chance to experience a sense of complete freedom when on holiday, something which is often denied to them on normal breaks.

"This may be because of the lack of facilities or even worse the attitude of other holidaymakers which can leave families feeling upset."

Since an article about the family hopes appeared in The Bury Times, the project has won support from individuals and businesses nationwide who are eager to contribute. It has also attracted interest from the BBC and other national and international media.

Anthea said: "As soon as the article appeared I had one person who donated £150 and a lady from Burnley offered to make bedroom furnishings, which I am so grateful for.

"I have also been contacted by people who are desperate to go to a place like this. There has been many a time I have thought of giving it all up, but after hearing their stories which are so moving, I know that I have to do this."

A family from Ramsbottom have volunteered their services by going out to France and working on the complex.

Anthea said: "It's people like the Roberts family that we need who could possibly volunteer some time to work on the complex during a visit to France: for example during a beer run!"

Absolute CCTV based in Bury is installing security systems. Business partners Andy Faulkner and Ben Speakman are to travel to France to fit the state-of-the art equipment.

Mr Speakman said: "This project is a very worthwhile cause and we are pleased to be able to help."

Mr Simon James, marketing manager for Whitefield-based Polyflor, the firm which is providing all the flooring materials for the complex, added: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to support this thoroughly worthwhile project which we are confident will be of great benefit to the less able members of the community."

Curtain Fabric Centre in Bury is donating the material needed and Mira Showers are providing the disabled showering facilities.

Other businesses contributing include Farefence in Worsley; Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings (Crown Paint) Ltd in Darwen; Flair Tube and Fabrication Ltd, Heywood; CEF, Manchester; Midas Electrical Ltd in Bury; Ian Parry Painting Contractors, Manchester and Brosley Fires.

She added: "Without their help we would not be able to do it. But we still have a long way to go.

"Each business who has contributed will be mentioned in our brochure and have a link on our website."

The family have spent every school holiday and every penny working on the five gites (holiday cottages) and guesthouse, and will move over permanently in June. Once completed, the complex will have a camp site, guesthouse, a pond, park, stables, farm and a swimming pool. The resort is close to the beach and just a couple of hours drive from Paris. Visitors will have the choice of staying in a gite, farmhouse or on the caravan park.

"We want this place to be somewhere people will feel comfortable and safe yet free to do what they want without being afraid of being an imposition. We will accommodate whatever they want to do and should specialist equipment be required we can arrange that too," explained Anthea.

"But we still need a lot of help, especially building materials and furniture and those who are in the building trade who are willing to give up some of their time. At the moment we have only one gite which is ready to take in holidaymakers."

She added: "Running this complex is not a money-making scheme but will become a way of life. We feel this is a very special project and believe there is nowhere in Europe offering the same package."

Businesses or individuals wishing to sponsor the project or offer help should contact Anthea on 07792148436 or e-mail calvadosdream@aol.co.

Families who would like to know more about the complex or would like to be put on the mailing list should e-mail their details or log on to www.calvados-freedom.com