A day centre for special needs children received a five-figure cash boost after efforts to fundraise for it were publicised in a weekly newspaper.

The £10,000 donation was made to Camp Mohawk, in Berkshire, after the Twyford Advertiser reported on mum-of-three Helen Weller’s bid to walk 75 kilometers across the Thames Valley was reported in the paper last month.

Helen had hoped to raised £500 for the centre, used by her family after seven-year-old son Ben was diagnosed with cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects balance and co-ordination.

The extra funds came after the Shanly Foundation, the charitable arm of housing company Shanly Homes, read about her efforts in the Advertiser.

The running costs for Camp Mohawk are around £170,000 a year.

The Advertiser splashed on the donation on this week’s front page, pictured above, which was released yesterday.

Assistant editor Nicola Hine said: “We were delighted to hear Tom’s story about Helen’s fundraising efforts for Camp Mohawk has resulted in the centre receiving such a generous donation.

“It goes to show the positive difference local papers can make in the communities they serve.”