A charity has announced the appointment of a new chief executive.

Cerebral palsy charity Stick ‘n’ Step has appointed Sarah Smithson as its chief executive, as well as Norma Young as its new senior grants and trusts fundraising manager.

Ms Smithson has been acting CEO at the charity for 15 months, having first joined as operations manager in 2006.

At the time, 40 children with cerebral palsy attended Stick 'n' Step's first centre at St John's Catholic Church in New Ferry.

The charity now has two centres in Wallasey and Runcorn, supporting more than 100 children and young people, along with their families, across the North West.

Ms Young, from near Formby, joins Stick ‘n’ Step to head up the charity’s fundraising team.

The charity supports more than 100 children and young people, along with their families, across the North West (Image: Supplied) With a background in social services and the NHS, she has extensive experience in fundraising, having worked most recently at St Ann’s Hospice in Manchester and North West Cancer Research in Liverpool.

Ms Smithson said: "It’s been such a privilege to have been involved with Stick ‘n’ Step from its earliest days and seen it grow and evolve.

"I’m very proud of everything we have achieved and so pleased that we are reaching a wider age range than ever before, with the recent introduction of our Early Intervention Programme for babies.

"I am honoured by the trust placed in me to take the charity forward to the next stage in its development.

"I am also delighted to welcome Norma to the team."

Ms Young said: "I’m looking forward to rising to the challenge of meeting our financial targets and delivering our services to the families who need our support across the region.

"The positivity and optimism of the team at Stick ‘n’ Step is second to none and I’m so pleased to be joining them at this exciting stage in their journey."

The charity provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 25, allowing them to gain the skills they need for more independent living.