5:17pm Saturday 2nd May 2009
FOR 57 years The Road Rose Association has worked tirelessly to provide education and respite care for thousands of disabled youngsters across Hampshire.
But this week the Southampton-based charity reached a milestone in its history by raising £300,000 in just over a year to help 150 youngsters enjoy a better quality of life.
The Change My Life appeal hopes to do exactly what it says by spending £2,000 on each of the youngsters between the ages of two and 19 at the centre, in Aldermoor Road.
The money, which has been raised by staff, volunteers and people across Hampshire, will be spent on a mixture of schemes, including music therapy, day trips and respite care provision.
As fundraising officer Emma Deabill explains, something as simple as buying musical instruments at the centre can drastically improve a child’s quality of life.
She said: “Pretty much all of the children in the school can’t talk, due to the severity of their disabilities.
“They all have their way of communicating but it won’t be the sort of conversation people usually have. But with music therapy, students are able to express themselves and communicate through music. We also have some special equipment that senses when children move and makes music come out of the speakers.”
The money raised during the appeal will also be spent on taking students out on day trips.
Some of their favourite locations include Marwell Wildlife, Paulton’s Park, The Otter Sanctuary, theatres, trips to local supermarkets and even the pub. Emma added: “The trips are all about them belonging to the community. They enable them to live their lives and have the same opportunities as we have.
They enjoy them.
Something as simple as going to Sainsburys to choose their lunch helps them become more independent and make their own choices. But there is a cost for petrol, lunch, staff and entrance fees for these places.
Without the £300,000 we would still be able to do the basics, but there would be no extras such as trips.”
A large amount of the funding will also be spent on occupational therapy, a wheelchairaccessible car, an adapted people carrier, a specialist height-adjustable bath, specialist beds and short-break bed nights at the respite centre.
As well as a school, the charity also runs a respite centre, a life skills centre, a short break scheme for youngsters and a play scheme to look after the children during school holidays.
Now the charity is setting a new target for the Change My Life Appeal and hopes to raise £500,000 to help support not only young people but also families and carers of those who attend Rose Road.
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