THOUSANDS of disabled children and their families could soon be experiencing the thrills of watersports, performing arts, and other short breaks as part of a major support programme.

Staffordshire County Council will spend more than £800,000 in a year to improve provision for vulnerable youngsters.

The project is to include more sports and leisure activities, play schemes, fun days, and respite care to give families a break from caring for children.

The Government-funded scheme, known as Aiming High, will also offer parents of disabled children more access to emergency support and help in the home.

And other organisations will be able to apply for money to buy specialist equipment so they can run disability-friendly activities.

The council introduced the programme last year and is now planning a major expansion.

About 2,000 disabled children are expected to take part in the short breaks, which will also be opened up to their siblings and parents.

Some sessions, such as rock climbing and canoeing, will be offered at Staffordshire's network of outdoor centres.

The council's five residential special schools could also host families at weekends and during school holidays.

Teresa Murray, head of disability operations, outlined the plans to the council's children and lifelong learning scrutiny committee yesterday.

She said: "We had family fun days throughout the last school holiday and they received a really positive response.

"To help cut down on red tape, families won't need a social work assessment to get an activity place."

Jackie Griffiths, from Cheddleton, hopes her 10-year-old daughter Tilly, who has a muscle-wasting disease, will be doing at least one activity.

Mrs Griffiths said: "Aiming High sounds wonderful.

"Sometimes when you live in the world of disability, you think there are certain things you just don't do. But children don't see the same limits.

"They want to go to the theatre and do sport."

Roger and Deb Brown, from Stafford, know how caring commitments take over family life.

Their 16-year-old son Aiden has a severe developmental delay, suffers from reflux, has to be tube-fed and wears nappies.

"We haven't been on a night out as a couple in over 16 years," said Mr Brown.

"When we do get time out, we are with our two daughters."

"It can be impossible to go on trips.

"But if we got to go with families who have similar needs, everybody would help everybody else. They wouldn't bat an eyelid at things like Aide's reflux."