A FAMILY'S dream to create a unique holiday haven for the disabled is becoming a reality, thanks to the support of a Whitefield firm.

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

The family has sold their home in Hollins and will move to France to complete building a holiday complex for adults and children with learning disabilities.

Their life-changing decision has been inspired by daughter Kirsty, who has severe learning difficulties.

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 a lack of facilities or even worse the attitude of other holidaymakers which can leave families feeling upset."

The family has invested more than £150,000 of their own money into the complex in Calvados, northern France, and have received offers of help from individuals and businesses, including Bury firm Absolute CCTV and Polyflor, based in Whitefield, which is providing all the flooring covers for the complex.

The family has spent every school holiday working on the complex. Once completed, it will have a camp site, guest house, 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 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."

She added: "We feel this is a very special project and believe that there is not any place like it in Europe offering the full package."

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

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