Change My Life charity appeal reaches £300,000 target (From Daily Echo)
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Rose Road Association reaches £300,000 appeal goal
12:57pm Thursday 30th April 2009 in News Review
Round-Britain yachtsman Geoff Holt with the Mayor and Mayoress of Southampton Brian and Mary Parnell with staff and speakers from a special business b
THANK YOU for helping us to reach our target.
That is the message from a Southampton charity who are celebrating after they raised £300,000 to give disabled youngsters a better life.
Fundraisers at The Rose Road Association launched the Change My Life appeal just over a year ago to raise £2,000 for each of the 150 young people with learning difficulties at the Bradbury Centre in Aldermoor Road.
News that the milestone had been reached was broken at a business breakfast where guests included record breaking disabled sailor Geoff Holt and the Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Brian Parnell Now the charity is setting a new target of £500,000 to help support not only young people but also the families and carers of those who attend Rose Road.
Stars get gunged - one of the ways the charity raised the cash.
Neil Wilson, director of business development at the charity, said: “Can we the staff, volunteers, parents and children at Rose Road say a huge thank- you to you, the people of Southampton and Hampshire, for helping us raise this money.
“The appeal has enabled us to do so much, from providing music therapy sessions and specialist equipment through to wonderful day trips and activity days which otherwise would not have been possible.
“One of the many highlights was a concert with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa held at Winchester Cathedral where we raised over £20,000 for the Appeal and had a truly magical evening.”
As reported in the Daily Echo, the appeal was given a welcome boost during the charity’s annual fun day when TV presenter Dave-Benson Phillips dusted off his infamous gunge tank to slime local celebrities.
Thousands of people logged on to the Daily Echo’s website to ensure BBC South Today sports reporter Roger Johnson was gunged. Former Saints player Francis Benali also joined him at the last moment.
Heather Aspinall, Chief Executive at Rose Road, said “These are difficult times for everyone and as such any support or money you are able to give is truly appreciated.”
The charity raised money with a number of fundraisers including an American themed Rose Road Day on July 4 as well as challenge activities such as runs, walks and skydives.
