Early Christmas gift for Sunshine Fund
CHARITY IS ONE OF SEVEN TO RECEIVE A DONATION
THE Sunshine Fund got an early Christmas present after receiving £2,000 to help purchase specialist equipment for children with learning difficulties.
The charity was lucky enough to be one of seven organisations to receive a donation at the launch of the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility (HCSM) at Walwick Hall Hotel in Northumberland. The Sunshine Fund, which fundraises to buy specialist equipment for disabled children, will put the money towards its Christmas appeal for Hadrian School in Benwell.
It is aiming to raise £30,000 throughout the festive period for the school, which provides specialist education for youngsters with complex and severe learning difficulties.
The school has had funding approved for a new, fully accessible Rebound Therapy Centre that can be used by all pupils to develop their learning.
Community fundraiser Lauren Thompson said: “We are delighted that David Harrison and HCSM chose to support us especially at a time when we’re trying to raise £30,000 for our Christmas Appeal.
“The donation will go towards supporting Hadrian School, our nominated cause this Christmas, and be used to purchase a specialist hoist system for their re-bound therapy centre, a life changing piece of equipment for the children at the school which will encourage their learning and development.
“We still have a long way to go to reach our target for the appeal and make some Christmas wishes come true. If you’re able to support our appeal and make a donation, please get in touch.”
HCSM was set up to tackle social issues in the region and to provide advice and financial support to charities that are helping people, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds. Other organisations to benefit from donations totalling £30,000 were The Newcastle United Foundation and Montagu U7 football team in Newcastle. Mr Harrison said: “I grew up in a typical County Durham pit village. It was assumed that my future would follow the same path as my parents and the education system didn’t really open my eyes to all the opportunities. I had to travel long distances to find work. Luckily I found an entrepreneurial streak and realised I could set up and run a business of my own, look after my family and employ others.
“So I feel like I have lived social mobility and I would like others from similar backgrounds to me to have the same opportunity but perhaps to discover it a little easier. Often new ideas are seen as being too risky for bureaucratic public funding, so HCSM will step in where there is a real chance of success.
“We’re trying to show what is possible and give young people the chance to reach their true potential.”
Visit https://sunshinefund.org.