IT'S "Have suitcase, don't need to travel" for young patients of Blenheim House -- thanks to a generous gift.

Cleveleys Lodge of the Freemasons handed over a £1,500 "sensory suitcase" to the centre on January 29 containing equipment which aids children's development as well as being calming, soothing and fascinating.

Now children with special needs who can't get to the centre, because of illness or transport problems, will have the chance to enjoy a projector, glitter ball on a stand, bubble tube, relaxing music and fibre optic toys in the comfort of their own home.

Chairman of the Lodge, Brian Chidlaw, has a three-year-old granddaughter, Rebecca, who has cerebral palsy and attends Blenheim House which is run by Blackpool Community Health Trust. He said: "The staff there are so good to her in so many ways. I realised they need all the help they can get. There are other children they care for who are not as fortunate as Rebecca, who is bright and intelligent and can walk and talk.

"Their world is more limited than hers and I wanted to do something for them. The opportunity came up when I was made chairman of the Lodge and became responsible for fund raising."

The additional £600 needed for the suitcase was made up by Huggables Ltd, the company run by Brian and his son Neil who is Rebecca's father. They have shops in South Shore and Cleveleys. Consultant paediatrician Dr Megan Thomas says all the staff are thrilled with the gift.

"We are very grateful to the Chidlaws for organising fund raising to enable many more children to have access to the pleasures and benefits of a multi-sensory environment via the sensory suitcase," she said.

Pictured are Dr Megan Thomas showing 20-month-old Callum Unsworth some of the fascinating contents of the sensory suitcase.