Six children desperately waiting to start their physiotherapy programme in a standing frame at a Shropshire charity have received the call that their frames have been funded – but there’s still 24 children waiting.
The team at The Movement Centre in Oswestry launched the 30 for 30 fundraising mission to mark the charity’s 30th anniversary in a bid to move 30 children from the waiting list and into their standing frames.
For this to happen, the charity, which does not receive any NHS or Government funding, needed to raise £1,500 per standing frame, totalling £45,000 for the 30 frames.
Businesses and individuals from across the UK came forward with their fundraising ideas and their pledges, leaving the team overwhelmed with the support.
Fiveways Insurance Group in Newport and Stafford kicked off the fundraising by donating £2,000 to the cause which saw the first child receive the call to say their frame was funded and the additional donation paid for two frames to be refurbished.
An anonymous donor donated the full £1,500 for a second standing frame after the story of Caleb from Oswestry was released which saw him start to walk for the first time during his Targeted Training programme at the centre which is on the site of the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen.
A third frame was paid for by David Clacher as a personal donation after David attended The Movement Centre’s charity golf day.
Two more frames have been sponsored by the team at financial advisory firm, Perspective West,in Oswestry. They held their own golf day and topped the fundraising up further to reach the £3,000 to fund the two frames.
A sixth standing frame has been funded by the volunteers and their supporters from the Oswestry and Cambrian Rotary who have raised £2,000.
Many other businesses, individuals and community groups have pledged to support the 30 for 30 fundraising mission and are busy holding their own events such as sponsored silence, cricket matches and sporting events and challenges.
Claire Snape, head of fundraising at The Movement Centre, said the fundraising in such a short time frame since September 1st had been “incredible” but there was still more funds to raise.
“In just a little over six weeks to physically see more than £9,000 come into the fundraising pot has been incredible and knowing people are doing so much to raise the money they have pledged is wonderful too.
“The generosity from individuals and businesses and the enthusiasm people have thrown behind our 30 for 30 campaign is wonderful but we know we are just at the start.
“To raise £45,000 to enable us to call 30 families and tell them their child has a funded place in a standing frame is no mean feat and we need more businesses and people to join us,” Claire said.
“We are also fast approaching the Big Give campaign which will mean money we raise in December will be doubled with their support – that is a phenomenal reason to pledge and start your fundraising today.”
Claire said many more businesses and organisations had pledged to fund a standing frame and they would be announcing them in due course as the money comes in.
“The children on our waiting list are ready to start – we just need the money to fund the physical standing frame, and we continue to raise voluntary fundraising elsewhere to fund the physiotherapy programme.
“The capital cost of the standing frame is literally standing in our way but more importantly in the way of the development of the child who needs to start now. The timing of their Targeted Training programme is vital and the right time gives them an increased chance of meeting their full movement potential.”
To pledge your support or discuss your fundraising idea with The Movement Centre team visit https://the-movement-centre.co.uk/30-for-30/ or email claire.s@themovementcentre.co.uk.
