A FUN day to raise awareness of a new charity proved a huge success.

The parents of two toddlers rendered deaf by life-threatening illnesses set up a new charity because of the lack of support for deaf children.

Little Dylan Valentine and his friend Isabel Gardner have both been diagnosed deaf and their parents have set up the Flintshire Deaf Children’s Society as a way for families with deaf children in Flintshire to meet.

Isabel, 21-months-old, from Flint, became deaf after suffering from a viral infection last August. She battled through the illness but has now been left deaf, has lost her speech and suffers development difficulties.

Dylan, 23-months-old from Shotton, was diagnosed as being 90 per cent deaf after he was born 11 weeks prematurely.

Dylan’s mum Nicky, 30, met Vicky at a meeting of the North East Wales Deaf Children’s Society.

They agreed that although they both benefited from the help offered by the Wrexham-based society there was little support in Flintshire for parents of deaf children. Nicky and Vicky decided to set up the Flintshire Deaf Children’s Society with the support of Nicky’s husband Brian and Vicky’s partner Chris.

On Easter Saturday the charity held a fun day in the grounds of Ysgol Gwynedd, Prince of Wales Avenue, Flint, featuring information stands, games and food.

“We had quite a few people coming along and raised over £400 which was really good,” said Dylan’s mum, Nicky.

“The money raised will be used for activities and the next fundraiser. We’re planning to do more for deaf children in the area.”

The next fundraising event is a charity bag pack at Sainsbury’s in Flint which will be held on Saturday, June 11.

A playgroup for the charity is also being organised and will start later this month.

It will be held in the Flying Start Centre, in the grounds of Ysgol Gwynedd, Prince of Wales Avenue, Flint, fortnightly on Mondays starting on May 9 from 1pm to 2.30pm.

For more information call Vicky on 07837906475, Nicky on 07717736733 or go to www.fdcs.co.uk.