Page 15 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • August 2010 15
Swindon Town FC to back Hop Skip and Jump centre this season

Hop, Skip and Jump, a charity which provides respite care for families with children with disabilities has been chosen by Swindon Town
Football Club as its charity of the year.
The organisation has secured “The backing that, following a presentation by
land with planning permission from of the football the trustees at Lydiard Millicent
Swindon Council to site a special- club over the Primary School, pupils voted
ist support centre at Lydiard Park coming months unanimously to make Hop Skip and
but has to raise a massive £900,000 will be so impor- Jump their charity of the year. “The
to build it. tant to take the children were most affected by the
Click Mitchell, Hop, Skip and fundraising tar- thought that there are children who
Jump trustee, said, “Swindon get closer to the can only watch others play, but that
Town’s commitment is wonderful point when we at Hop Skip and Jump everyone
news and we are so grateful to all can start build- can play.”
the people of Swindon who have ing.” She put forward a suggestion to
been fundraising like mad with all The centre will readers. “If every household that
sorts of things from sponsored slims provide an excel- receives The Link had a fund for
to fancy dress competitions. lent facility for swearing or eating too much pasta,
“We have also had two gentlemen young people and raised £30, we’d get there.”
and a dog canoeing from Cricklade with disabilities, The charity hopes the building of
to the Thames Barrier, two runners including after- Viewing the plans for Lydiard Park, coun Gary Perkins with the wooden building with several
in the Reading marathon and a school and Satur- parents Doug Morris and Tricia Evans eco-friendly features close to the
lady cycling from John O’Groats day clubs, and holiday care. There Click is hoping the Swindon Lydiard Park visitor centre can start
to Lands End. As a result we have are similar centres in Cheltenham Town commitment will engage in mid-autumn.
over £30,000 in the bank, which is and Bristol which draw families other organisations like schools To offer fundraising help call
marvellous. from as far away as Manchester. and community groups. She said Click Mitchell on 01453 836390.

Funds to support families with children Traditional Summer Fete
who have extra needs Sunday 1 August, 11am - 3.30pm
in support of the Hop, Skip & Jump Swindon appeal
Are you the parent or carer of a disabled child or young person aged Salt Way Centre, Pearl Road, Middleleaze
up to 18 years (19 years if they remain in full-time, statutory education) Face painting, bouncy castle, Irish dancing, local bands, frisbee golf,
in Swindon? Or a professional working with a disabled child/young traditional stands and stalls - splat the rat, stocks, bric-a-brac - barbecue,
person? asks Martha Stygall of the Swindon Aiming High Team. Pimm’s tent, cake stall, police and fi re services, amazing raffl e prizes
Admission: £1 per adult, 50p children, under 5s free.
Are there activities that your Swindon as a result of discussion
child/young person would like with Swindon parents and carers Entry includes free raffl e ticket.
to take part in but cannot because who say that disabled children Details from Rebecca Taylor - [email protected]
they need additional support? The and young people are not able to
Aiming High for Disabled Children take full advantage of short break
Inclusion Fund may be able to help. activities because of barriers caused
Aiming High is the government’s by their disability. Swindon
transformation programme for dis- However funding is due to end on College
abled children and young people’s 31 March 2011 so applications need
services in England to ensure they to be submitted over the next few
have the support they need to live months. For details call the Aiming
ordinary family lives. High Team on 464080, mail: aimin-
The Swindon Inclusion Fund is [email protected] or write to
part of Aiming High for Disabled The Aiming High Team, Salt Way
Children, developed in partnership Centre, Pearl Road, Middleleaze,
by Swindon Council and NHS Swindon SN5 5TD.
Aiming High grant comes to the rescue

When Westlea Primary School was awarded a £12,000 grant for further
wheelchair friendly play equipment they were overjoyed - until the
installation company said it would cost an extra £4,500.
But tears turned to joy as
Marla Carroll, head of Spe-
cial Resource Provision for
Physically Disabled Pupils,
explained. “After receiving
the good news that Aiming
High were giving us £12,000, Still time to apply for
we soon came down to earth
when the new quote arrived September 2010 start!
following a redesign after the
original proposal.
“I cheekily approached There are lots of exciting courses on offer at Swindon College for
Sarah Moody of Aiming High this September and there are still spaces available! If you are a
Aiming High again and they with Marla Carroll
said yes. Now we can fund the School Leaver, you will find all the course information for this year
second phase of our playground project to provide a wheelchair swing on the 14-19 Section of our website.
and a system with a cradle swing and two bench swings.
“We’re overwhelmed that Aiming High has been able to help so quickly.
The wheelchair friendly roundabout which was installed with funds Visit www.swindon-college.ac.uk or call 0800 731 2250
from the Rotary Club has made such a positive difference to playtimes S w i n d o n C o l l e g e , N o r t h S t a r A v e n u e , S w i n d o n , S N 2 1 D Y
for the physically disabled children and the swings will do the same.”

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