Page 10 - link magazine

10 The Link Magazine • August 2003
School campaigners donate bank balance to Winston's Wish
Parents who campaigned for places at local secondary schools in 2002 have closed their bank account and made a donation to Winston's Wish,
the pioneering charity which helps children and young people cope with the death of someone close.
West Swindon Parents for Im- Chairman of WSPIE °vh. Winston's Wish communi-
proving Education (WSPIE) was Andrew Hill said that par- cations manager Mike Lupton
set up when parents of 126 chil- entshadbeenrudelyawak- " ' " thanked West Swindon par-
dren were told in late 2001 that ened to the fact they did not ents for thinking of the char-
they could not attend Bradon For- have a choice of secondar y ity. "Death is not something
est School because it was full. And school. "It was shocking to we are comfortable with as
even though many had specified discover that 126 children adults and we generally don't
Greendown as a second choice, could not attend a local sec- /`' know how to cope with the
they were told by Swindon Coun- ondary school and could grief of a child. But the fact is
cil that they would have to send be spread allover town and '` every 30 minutes a child un-
their children to schools all over also that the council was der 18 in the UK is bereaved
the borough where places were unaware of the situation of a parent through natural
available. until it was too late." = causes or long term illness, or
An energetic protest campaign, Committee secretary Mike Lupton of Winston's Wish, centre, unexpectedly through acci-
including a 6,000 name petition, Marc Tielemans said receives the WSPIE donation from dent, murder or suicide.
pressured the council to find places WSPIE had done its job and Andrew Hill, left, and Marc Tielemans "Children also need to come
whilst other parents decided to Winston's Wish had been to terms with the death of a
send their children to Wootton chosen to receive £481.65 after fel- the death of a loved one." grandparent, or a brother or sister.
Bassett School. low committee member Pat Set up in 1992 to support chil- "Winston's Wish has a wide
The campaign also helped the Matthews died unexpectedly ear- dreninGloucestershire, Winston's range of professional and practi-
council focus on future secondary her in the year leaving a 12 year Wish became a national charity in cal help to directly support chil-
school needs in West Swindon old son. "We became very aware of 2001, providing a national tel- dren over the telephone and to
which led to the £3 million expan- the important work of the charity ephone helpline, a range of sensi- help adults understand the needs
sion programme at Greendown, which offers remarkable support tively written publications aimed of children through activity sheets
due to be completed in September. to children who have experienced at children and young people and and booklets. We have also devel-
a website specifically for teenag- oped ways to help a child posi-
ers. tively remember somebody who
They also run residential week- has died, or indeed who is dying,
end camps for children, parents so that they understand what is
and carers where feelings of grief going on and do not carry a bur-
can be worked out, and provide den of guilt through their lives"
The Winston's Wish Family Line
Windows & Conservatories practical training for school teach- is 0845 203 0405.
ers so that a bereaved child can be
supported by his or her peers www.winstonswish.org .uk -
1 faultily business
with over 25 years experience Cuba cycle ride in aid of deaf children
A mum from Grange Park who was helped by the National Deaf
PVCu Windows Children's Society after she went deaf at the age of three is planning
and Doors ± to raise money for the charity on a ten day bike ride in Cuba.
Gail Welch from The
PVCu & Hardwood Holbeins has committed = u
Conservatories herself to raise £2,600 by -
November when she and ten
Composite Doors i1J nr others will cycle 400 kilome-
Primary & I i'- tres across the island, both
on and off road.
Secondary Glazing ^ Gail said, "I'm already 1, 1
quite fitas I am a postwoman
in Cricklade and I try to go
COMPETITIVE LOANS CAN BE ARRANGED
for a bike ride every day with
my son Anthony to build up
my stamina."
SUPPLY & FIT
Gail went deaf overnight
'E' SUPPLY ONLY as a child because a problem
t' — TRADE OR in her ear drum had not been ;
- _ ^; picked up. Friends and
® RETAIL. neighbours at RAF ^^
Lyneham where her father
was stationed rallied round ,; Y
in 1980 to raise money for t'
^ ' ( FEN SA
one of the first 'phonic ear'
^, ^• - ,: „ .' _ y . . Registered Company
hearing aids. Gail later attended gives essential support and also
erg o is 2visxdvu o & ears ewatoxieo ,united the support unit at Ridgeway help society understand the needs
School and took a degree in graphic of deaf children."
Station Road, Minety, Malmesbury, Wilts SN 16 9QY arts. Donations to Gail's bike ride can
"The NDCS has helped me and be made by sending a cheque made
Tel: 01666 860736 Fax: 01666 860761 m family over many years and I out to NDCS Ltd. to The Link,
y
Tel: Steve 01666 860885 or decided I wanted to help them," Papermakers House, Westlea,
said Gail. "Children who are deaf Swindon SN5 7BD or via the
David 01793 772463 eves & w/ends need a lot of support to acquire NatWest Bank: NDCS Ltd., Cycle
www.classic-windows.com language and to cope with the Cuba No. 2 Account, account no.
world around them. The NDCS 78688639, sort code 60-02-08.