Oswestry charity helping children to walk launches mission to clear waiting list before Christmas
The Movement Centre wants to clear it's waiting list to mark it's 30th anniversary
A Shropshire children’s charity has launched its biggest fundraising mission to date, to transform 30 young lives and clear it's treatment waiting list as it marks 30 years.
The Movement Centre in Oswestry has launched its ambitious “30 for 30” fundraising campaign, where the charity team hopes to win the backing of 30 different businesses, organisations, groups or individuals, who will each fundraise and donate £1,500.
The total sum of £45,000 would ensure every child, who is currently on the waiting list for specialist targeted training physiotherapy at The Movement Centre, would receive the specialist equipment they need to begin their journey to independence.
Each of the £1,500 donated cash pots would fund a specialist standing frame for a youngster to receive the specialist equipment they need to begin their treatment.
Helen Knight, Chief Executive Officer at The Movement Centre, said: “We’ve reached a point whereby there are many children who could benefit from our therapy, but we simply don’t have the resources to help them.
“Our supporters have the power to transform 30 lives right now. Whether through corporate CSR programmes, workplace challenges, team away days or community fundraising, raising £1,500 directly changes a child’s life trajectory. We want to rally 30 champions across the region to help us reach this goal
“It would be amazing if we could say ‘we’ve raised £45,000’ before Christmas and give each of the 30 families on the waiting list an early Christmas present."
Claire Snape, Head of Fundraising at The Movement Centre, added: “As a charity, which doesn’t receive any NHS or Government funding, we can say there’s never been a more important time to support us.
“We want to be making those special phone calls, telling families that the generous people from across the region have funded their child’s place - now that would be so special for all involved.
“Every standing frame funded by a supporter enables one child to come off the waiting list and begin therapy during the crucial early years of development.
“Early intervention is vital for children with movement disabilities. Delays in accessing specialist therapy can mean missed opportunities to develop strength, balance and independence during critical stages of growth.”
"The smile on his face to know he can stand up and kick a ball"
Over the past three decades, The Movement Centre has changed the lives of hundreds of children, including that of Caleb - a little boy who was born with Global Developmental Delay.
His mum, Chloe, said she wasn't sure if she would ever see her son walk.
She said: "See other children playing and running, deep down, it really hurt, thinking, I'd like my boy to be doing that.
"I'd like him to be running with the others."
However, after treatment from The Movement Centre, Caleb has now taken his first steps independently.
Chloe said: "To see Caleb keep pushing, and keep pushing with the staff's support, it just made everything worth coming to The Movement Centre for.
"The support they offer is just amazing,
"The smile on his face to know he can stand up and kick a ball, to some other parents that's nothing but to us it's a million per cent amazing!"