A 100-mile sponsored cycle, fashion show, bag pack, cake sales, raffles and donations have all added up to help create a new sensory room for Walsall children with disabilities and complex conditions.
And the Mayor and Mayoress of Walsall joined delighted families, staff and fundraisers at Shelfield Child Development Centre last week to declare the new feature officially open.
Through Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Well Wishers charity, a £15,000 appeal was set up last September to replace outdated and broken equipment with the aim of getting the work done over the summer break, ahead of the children returning to the centre in September.
Community groups, businesses, Walsall Football Club and healthcare staff all got behind the appeal, either bringing in donations or taking part in events to help swell funds.
Fundraising Manager Georgie Westley said: “It was fantastic to bring everyone together who had supported this appeal and show them the difference their generous donations had made.
“The sensory room is a lovely environment now and shows what can be achieved thanks to our generous communities. I don’t think any of us will forget seeing how happy the children were on opening day – they absolutely love the room and we’re all proud to be a part of making this happen for them.”
Walsall players Luke Leahy and Josh Ginnelly attended the opening following their training session and proved a real hit – with parents and staff as well as the children!
Left-back Leahy said: “The club made a donation through our Goalden Gate lottery which helps both our Youth Development Fund and local causes. Josh and I thought the children were amazing and it was lovely to see them enjoying the new room.”
Well Wishers would like to thank the following for their support:
Sikh Temple
Princes Trust
Morrisons
MyNHS
Praful Nathwani
Enoch Evans LLP Solicitors
Tracey Beaumont
Walsall Football Club
Chris Davies
Asda
Hindu Ladies Group
WARRANT
Apprentices
Longhorn/Bell pub
Ant Westbury
Rotary Club