£8K makes sensory room dream reality
Boost for autistic youngsters
A charity set up in memory of a much-loved St Ninians man officially opened a new facility for young people with autism.
The Robert Murphy Charity Foundation marked the opening of a sensory room at Struan School’s residential facilities at Claremont, Alloa, after a bumper £8000 donation.
The facility will provide a relaxing area for young people, and is designed to help communication, concentration and coordination.
Since Robert Murphy passed away at the age of 49 in 2013 after a battle with cardiomyopathy – a disease of the heart muscle – his friends and family have committed themselves to raising cash for good causes to honour his charitable and community-spirited nature. They set up The Robert Murphy Charity Foundation three years ago.
One of their aims is to install defibrillators at clubs and in community spaces and their first was installed at Milton Football and Sports Club in Bannockburn towards the end of last year.
They also make annual donations to SiMBA who support families who have lost a baby and the cardiology unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital where Robert spent much of his time before passing away.
Their latest project, the biggest to date, saw the opening of the new facility at Struan School. While they provided a significant cash boost, much of the work was done for free and some of the equipment was donated.
James McFarlane, one of the foundation’s trustees who worked on this project, was keen to thank those involved in the creation of the new space.
He said: “It felt like a real team effort with Scottish Autism and all the trades and individuals who got involved – including Paul Wilson Joinery, Robert Dawson and Kirby Electrical and Michael McFarlane for the plastering, painting and decorating.
“We’d also like to thank the children at Struan in Claremont who gave us the inspiration and motivation to complete the project.
“The sensory room at Claremont will have an immediate impact on the service users, and we are extremely pleased with how it has all come together. It is great to be able to help such a worthwhile local cause.”
Karen Wilson, Scottish Autism fundraising manager added: “We are immensely grateful to James and the team for all their hard work fundraising and co-ordinating this project which will make such a difference to the young people at Claremont.”
James and his fellow fundraisers raise cash through family fun days and a host of events, such as music nights, golf days, dinner dance and bag packs, before redistributing the funds back into the community.
He added: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received to date. Robert is the inspiration behind the whole thing. It was set up by his friends and family in his name as he was someone who was big on helping and supporting his local community.
“One of our aims for this year is to get a defibrillator installed in every high school in the Stirling area – and we have a few ideas to help make that happen.”
For more information go to The Robert Murphy Charity Foundation Facebook page or visit therobertmurphycharityfoundation. com.
In addition to the foundation a number of other groups and businesses helped raise cash for the new sensory room. They were The Royal Oak Hotel; The Scottish Trucker Club; The Royal Bank of Scotland; The Orcome Trust; Sir James Miller Edinburgh Trust; MV Hillhouse Trust; Littlejohn Trust and Waitrose Stirling.