Boat brings joy to youngsters

11/04/2006

YOUNGSTERS with severe learning difficulties will be taking to the water in a Viking-style longboat after a grant from the Evening Chronicle Sunshine Fund, one of the beneficiaries of GoodFund, the Postcode Lottery's charity arm.

The Sunshine Fund, which raises money for seriously ill and disabled children in our region, has bought the longboat for Oakleigh Gardens Special School in Cleadon, South Tyneside.

The school, which works with pupils aged three to 18 with learning disabilities, has a comprehensive programme of outdoor activities as part of its curriculum.

Although the school regularly works with the Water Activities Centre in South Shields harbour, many of the sail boats are not suitable for those with profound disabilities, although they have been able to canoe. Now the longboat-style dinghy should enable all 55 pupils at the school to enjoy sailing activities.

Sunshine Fund manager Jo Harris said: "This will provide a fantastic opportunity. Students have expressed a desire to go sailing but unfortunately none of the boats are suitable for those with profound disabilities.

"It was recommended that the school buy a longboat dinghy that can be used safely by those children who cannot use the current boats.

"We are delighted to have been able to step in and help them and hope they will enjoy this valuable experience."

Oakleigh head teacher Derek Cogle said: "The new dinghy will give our children a wonderful experience. The youngsters enjoy getting out on the water in the boat and they are getting a tremendous amount from it."

The Sunshine Fund pays for equipment that makes a significant improvement to the lives of children, but for whatever reason is not usually available from other sources.

Each year the thousands of pounds in grants benefit both individual and groups of children battling serious illness or disability.

Thanks to the players of the Postcode Lottery, GoodFund is able to support such worthwhile causes in our region. The more people play the charity lottery, the more we can award to charities in the North East.