A NUMBER of Worcester fund-raisers have come together to provide a special needs school with a £4,500 donation to buy new equipment.
Fort Royal Community Primary School, on Wylds Lane, used the generous donation to purchase an Acheeva Learning Station for eight-year-old disabled pupil, Jack Cross.
The specialised multi-positional bed allows Jack, who is severely sight impaired and can only see light and dark, to sit comfortably but still access learning in the classroom.
A £1,520 donation, presented to the school by The Independent Fundraisers of Worcester, was raised from collection tins in Asda where children were encouraged to have their photos taken with Santa Claus and his helpers, whilst another £2,000 was granted by the Chris Westwood Charity for Children with a Physical Disability.
The rest of the money was raised from a hamper raffle and other fund-raising activities, which helped the final total reach £4,500.
Grants administrator for Fort Royal Community Primary School, Margaret Jones, said: “Without their support we wouldn’t have been able to do anything. At the school we aim to make sure the children are treated as individuals and we do the best we can for those individuals.
“It is really amazing, the support we have received. We invited the fundraisers to look around the school because when people can see where the money has been used, it really makes a difference.”
John Horsley, Community Life Champion at ASDA, said: “We like to get out and involved with local communities in anyway we can. I was really blown away by the work they do here at the school and until you see for yourself you don’t believe it.
“It feels good to be able to contribute and help the school purchase the equipment they need. When you see the children and the activities they do here, it gives you pleasure.”
Lyn Ching, Jack’s mother, said: “He now has so much comfort. Jack is severely sight impaired and learns through touch and sound. It used to take him a while to get comfortable but now, he can sit upright in the bed and relax. He has a side table and can see what is happening in the classroom.
“He really has come a long way,” she added.
