Funds boost for family group
Susan Lochrie • Published 1 Feb 2012 16:00
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CHEQUE MATES: The Inverclyde Support Group is delighted to get a grant from double glazing firm Weatherseal. They are pictured together at a gymnastics class. Below, Aiden McLevy has a blast. Bottom, Connie Dolan, three, gets a cuddle from her big brother Jude, six.
Picture: George Munro
CAMPAIGNING parents have had a helping hand in their fight to fund more speech and language therapy for their children.
Inverclyde Down's Syndrome Support Group is raising money to get youngsters the vital support they need to develop.
And their campaign recently won the hearts of the team from double-glazing firm Weatherseal, who awarded them a charitable Windows for Opportunity grant.
The much-needed cash will help to not only fund therapy, but also continue gymnastics classes and start new swimming lessons.
Parent Robert Dolan, who goes to the group with his three-year-old Connie, said: "The speech and language therapy is vital for Connie's development.
"We feel so strongly about it and we want to help others get the same support.
"There are certain therapy talk tools which really help their oral development."
Children with Down's can have certain physical barriers, including slack jaw muscles, which can hamper their speech, and the therapy helps counteract this.
Robert, who is a member of the group along with his wife, Jane, added: "We have found the support invaluable. The experience of other parents with children older than Connie has helped us enormously."
Weatherseal set up its grant scheme to help local community groups and charities.
They were delighted to step in and boost the support group with the £500 grant.
Inverclyde Down's Syndrome Support Group chairman Keith McLevy said: "The money from Weatherseal is absolutely wonderful.
"We have had a great year fundraising-wise, but all donations are always more than welcome.
"The money will help us to fund more speech and language therapy classes for the children who use our services and it will help make a real difference to their lives."
If you would like to be considered for the next round of funding from the Weatherseal bursary, email bursary@weatherseal.co.uk stating why your community group deserves a share.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 01 Feb 12
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