WIRRAL Autistic Society’s appeal to build a much-needed £1.3m respite centre is now at its half-way point, with building work due to start in the next few months.

The society, which caters for people aged 19 and over who suffer from autism, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The new respite centre will accommodate six people at a time and will be a “home from home” giving families a brief break from the daily pressures involved in caring. It will be built on land alongside the society’s main building, Raby Hall, and will be the only unit of its kind in the North West.

At present, the society can provide respite care for just one person at a time, but says “there is a massive demand for the facility”.

The bulk of the people the society cares for come from Greater Merseyside and the North West, but people from all over the UK are accommodated. It has grown to be a significant part of the Wirral economy, employing some 300 people, and with an annual turnover of more than £8m.

The appeal’s president, the Duke of Westminster, said: “There is a massive demand for respite facilities to relieve pressure from parents, brothers and sisters who live with the day to day problems that arise from caring for autism sufferers.”

Hundreds of events are being held to mark the Awareness Day.

Autism was only diagnosed in 1943 and it now affects in the region of 67m people around the globe.

The Wirral Autistic Society was one of the first of its kind in the country, providing residential, supported living, respite and day care services.

MORE information about the charity is available on www.wirral.autistic.org