Help us get to £60,000 fund target
THE North East has been going bananas over the last few weeks – and we can’t thank you enough.
Over £40,000 has been raised for far in June for The Sunshine Fund’s Go Bananas appeal.
The campaign aims to raise £60,000 this month to buy specialist equipment for local disabled children and you have all dug deep and shown your kindness.
Ten children have been handpicked to benefit from your donations and a number of them have now been given the wonderful news that their equipment can now be bought.
But we still need that final push to improve the lives of the rest of these inspiring kids.
There have been many fundraising events throughout our region so far and lots of people took part in the Wear Yellow Day event – including our lovely Sunshine kids’ own schools.
Joseph Warren, who suffers from cerebral palsy, needs a new wheelchair to help him enjoy family days out and most importantly, be much more comfortable.
The 10-year-old’s school pals at St Columba’s RC Primary in Wallsend got involved in Wear Yellow Day on June 16 to support Joseph.
Headteacher Claire Jordan said: “At St Columba’s we recognise what a tremendous impact this will have on the whole family, enabling them to make their everyday lives easier and Joseph’s life more comfortable. As a school, we decided to participate in the Chronicle’s Wear Yellow Day in order to raise awareness of this wonderful charity and help to raise much needed funds.
“We had a very bright and cheerful assembly that morning delivered by Year 3 and were delighted to welcome Lauren from the Chronicle’s Sunshine Fund to talk to staff, parents and pupils about the amazing work that the charity supports in the North East.
“In total we raised £269.34 and great fun was had by all in the process! Many thanks to everyone involved!”
Pupils at Swalwell Primary also got behind their classmate Freya Carr-Wright who needs a specialist iPad to help her with her schoolwork due to her rare Charge Syndrome which severely affects her sight.
Colette Cooke, from Fellgate Autistic Base at Fellgate Primary, said: “The children at Fellgate Primary School and Autistic Base loved wearing yellow to show their support for the Sunshine Fund. They were able to appreciate that other children in our community might need specialist equipment to make their lives easier and help them to have fun. We raised £126 for the Sunshine Fund and hope the money helps children and families lead a happier life.”
DW Sports Fitness Gym in Byker are also continuing their fundraising in the final week of Go Bananas and have opened their doors to none members until June 30. They are asking for a small donation for using the facilities and have various challenges and raffles taking place in the centre.