The Chronicle

Fund receives festive boost

CHRISTMAS APPEAL FOR SPECIALIST PLAY EQUIPMENT GIVEN A LIFT BY DONATION

- By KATIE COLLINGS Reporter katie.collings@ncjmedia.com The simplest piece of equipment can make a huge difference for a child with a disability Lauren Thompson

THE Sunshine Fund received an early Christmas present from a North East organisati­on in the form of a generous cheque.

The fund’s Christmas Appeal is well under way with the aim of raising £30,000 to buy specialist playground equipment for Hadrian School in Benwell, Newcastle.

The equipment will allow children with disabiliti­es to be able to play together and develop their skills at the same time.

But they can’t raise the money without help, and the new Harrison Centre for Social Mobility (HCSM) has given the fund a push in the right direction.

HCSM will provide advice and financial support to charities that are helping people, particular­ly from disadvanta­ged background­s, to learn new skills. It will also look for new and unproven ways to tackle long-standing social mobility issues in the North East.

Social mobility is the basic principle that each generation should do better than the previous one and that everyone should have the opportunit­y to reach their full potential.

HCSM was founded by North East entreprene­ur David Harrison, who says no matter what your background is, you should have the opportunit­y to make the most of your abilities.

The donation of £2,000 will be going straight to the Sunshine Fund’s appeal with the hope it will soon change the lives of Hadrian School pupils for the better.

Members of the fund were invited to the launch of the HCSM at Walwick Hall Hotel in Northumber­land where they picked up their huge cheque.

Lauren Thompson, Sunshine Fund community fundraiser, said: “We know all too well through speaking with our families that the simplest piece of equipment can make a huge difference for a child with a disability.

“Something as simple as an iPad can be the difference of a child with autism keeping up with their peers at school and learning at the same rate or even communicat­ing with their parents to just let them know what they want for breakfast.

“We are delighted that David 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 rebound therapy centre – a lifechangi­ng 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.”

Mr Harrison added: “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 are trying to show what is possible and give young people the chance to reach their true potential.”

■ TO SUPPORT the appeal, call 0191 201 6090 or email lauren.thompson@ trinitymir­ror.com

Alternativ­ely, send donations via cheque to: The Chronicle Sunshine Fund, Groat Market, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1ED.

 ??  ?? David Harrison with Lauren Thompson from the Sunshine Fund
David Harrison with Lauren Thompson from the Sunshine Fund

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