Member Article

NHS workers organise fundraiser for colleagues charity

Staying in is the new going out and a great way to raise money.

Colleagues and friends who work at the endoscopy unit of the Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust wanted to liven up a girls night in and raised a staggering £506 for Leeds Mencap. Jo who organised the Hawaiian themed night said;

“She saw all the great work that Leeds Mencap does and how it helped her friend’s son Nile, that all the nursing staff wanted to give something back”.

The girls charged £10 a ticket for the Hawaiian party, held a raffle and played party games. Saffina, Niles mum was delighted when her colleagues suggested raising money for Leeds Mencap in this way and has said;

“Reflecting back, we as a family have grown so much and are now positive about the future thanks to Leeds Mencap. At the beginning I felt a dark cloud over me, being the mum to a boy with additional needs I had endless nights of worry about the future for my son. I felt isolated at mainstream play groups, but as soon as Nile started Hawthorn the dark cloud disappeared. It was also great that my friends from the Hawthorn Family Support Centre came to the evening as well.”

Research has shown that the period between 0-3 years is critical in shaping children’s life chances, based on evidence of brain formation, communication and language development. A lack of early support and education can lead to these children having difficulty entering main stream education at an older age. Leeds Mencap’s Hawthorn Family Support centre is the only centre of its kind in Leeds and demand is high. We provide the early support necessary to help children with learning disabilities achieve more and have better opportunities in their future life. The centre also aims to develop a network of support that the parents / carers utilize in the coming years to help them cope with the pressures of having a child with a learning disability.

To find out more about Leeds Mencap or to get involved, call us on 0113 2351331 or visit www.leedsmencap.org.uk. If you want to organise a similar fundraising event or can help us in anyway, please do get in touch catherine.storey@leedsmencap.org.uk

*********************************************************************************************** About Leeds Mencap:

Leeds Mencap is a local and independent charity that provides support for children and adults with a learning disability, along with their families and carers. It has been running since 1953.

Although Leeds Mencap is affiliated with National Mencap, the charity is an independently-run charity and has to secure all its own funding.

Leeds Mencap aims to provide support, advice and practical help to the whole family, long term and do this through a variety of services, including Youth Clubs, Me2 – an inclusive dance project for young people, School Holiday Play Schemes, a Parent/Carer Support Project with various support groups, Sibling Support, the Rookery residential home and the Hawthorn Family Support Centre for families with very young children with a learning disability and much more.

About Learning Disabilities:

A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops but the causes can vary. Most develop before a baby is born, during birth or because of a serious illness in early childhood. However, sometimes the cause of learning disabilities can’t be found. People who have learning disabilities may find it harder to learn new skills, understand information or to interact with other people. A learning disability is ever-present and usually has a significant impact on a person’s life.

Leeds Mencap recognises that there are many types of learning disabilities. A learning disability can be mild, moderate or severe and some people with a learning disability may also have other physical and emotional conditions.

There are an estimated 15,000 people in Leeds with learning disabilities.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Catherine Storey .