Last week we threw open the doors of James Dixon House, our new residential children’s home in Blackburn, to welcome our first visitors.

Over the past few months the building has been remodelled and beautifully fitted out, thanks to the generosity of many local and regional businesses, transforming it from a house into a real home, which will provide a stable and loving environment for three children and care leavers, aged between 8 and 17 years old.

So grateful for all the support received, we would like to send special thanks to:

· Dan Blackburn Contractors Ltd, who carried out all the construction work

· Katy & Co Catering, for providing delicious refreshments for the open day

· Loom Loft Furniture & Interiors, which donated two sofas, a matching armchair, a footstool and two rugs, an extending dining table and six chairs

· Cormar Carpet Company, which provided two rugs

· Amanda at Simply Staged, who donated pillows and duvets for all the beds

· Richer Sounds Foundation, which donated £2,000 to furnish the three young people’s bedrooms

· Bevlan Office Interiors, which donated two coffee tables and cabinet for the hallway

· The Senator Group, which donated desks and chairs for the bedrooms and a sofa for the games room

· Nybble Ltd, which donated a TV for the games room

· Kuits Solicitors, who provided a TV for the games room

· Site Surveying Services Ltd, which donated crockery, tea towels and glasses

· Asda Blackburn, which provided glasses and cutlery

· Energy Support Solutions Ltd, which provided wall art

· Crown Paints, which donated the paint and brushes for a painting day for some exterior features.

James Dixon House is now very nearly complete

We would love to source a trampoline for the garden and sensory items for the therapy room. Anyone who might be able to help with these items, should contact Georgia Murphy by email at gmurphy@canw.org.uk