AS part of our 170th anniversary celebrations, the County Gazette has launched a Community Fund to give a platform to the exceptional voluntary work which goes on throughout our community.

We have been asking local organisations to write in and tell us why they need fundraising support. We are featuring one of the groups each week in the Gazette, and this week itfs the turn of Taunton Opportunity Group.

Taunton Opportunity Group To apply, e-mail communityfund@countygazette.co.uk or write to Community Fund, Somerset County Gazette, St James Street, Taunton TA1 1JR. Include 150 words about the cause and its fund-raising need/s,with details of how readers can make donations.

TAUNTON OPPORTUNITY GROUP is a registered charity providing preschool provision for young children with a wide variety of special educational needs.

Children attending TOG may have autism, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, genetic disorders, medical needs, development delay and speech and language difficulties. TOG aims to provide a welcoming provision for the children and their parents with a high adult to child ratio with some children having individual support.We are able to assess children's individual needs, helping identify the next steps in their learning provision.We have regular input from physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.We also use a multi-sensory unit for children with sensory impairment.

To maintain our present level of service we need to continue to raise additional funds and any help with this is always needed and very welcome. TOG can be contacted at Wooden Spoon House, Crowcombe Road, Taunton TA2 7NF telephone 284550.