Extra special help rewarded
TEENAGE girl who set up a free Saturday club for children and young people with special needs has won another award.
Stephanie Bayford has been recognised by the panel on the Halifax Giving Extra Awards for setting up Little Specials a year ago.
Last year the 18-yearold, who pays for the support group from her own pocket, was named Superhero of Hillingdon at the Uxbridge Gazette 2014 Local Heroes Awards.
Now, Stephanie has received £300 bonus bond vouchers from Halifax which she plans to invest into Little Specials.
She had been nominated for the local Halifax awards by her mother Sharon.
Stephanie said afterwards: “It was a huge surprise to find out I had a won a Halifax Giving Extra Awards, the £300 vouchers will make a huge difference to the club as it will fund new games and
Aactivities for the children to get involved with.
“The parents I meet through my job as a teaching assistant at a special needs school inspired me to set up a group like Little Specials because they felt there wasn’t any support for themselves and their children already.”
The award recognises those that go the extra mile for people in their community.
If she is named national winner later this month, Stephanie will receive a further £2,500 in bonus bond vouchers and £2,500 donation to a good cause of her choice.
Little Specials meet every Saturday at Oak Farm Library in Hillingdon between 2-3.30pm.
It is open to people with special needs up to the age of 16.
It celebrates its anniversary later month. first this