Chailey Heritage raising money to fund Eyegaze technology during The Big Give Christmas Challenge

The challenge, which kicked off at midday on Tuesday, runs through to midday on Tuesday next week, and donations to the charity will be matched pound for pound, helping it fund specialist computer equipment for children and young adults at Chailey Heritage Foundation.

Every young person the charity supports has complex physical needs which can make life extremely frustrating and isolating.

With Eyegaze technology, young people can use eye movement alone to control a computer screen, helping them to learn and communicate.

Providing Eyegaze computers in every classroom and residential bungalow will open up a world of opportunities for young people with complex disabilities. With this empowering resource, they will be able to do anything that could usually be done by controlling a mouse and much more. This could include using online learning games, sending a text message or even controlling a TV remote control.

Sally Anne Murray, development director for Chailey Heritage Foundation, said: “We hope that individuals will give as generously as they can during the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

“With every donation being doubled, this is a great way to make your funds go further to help young people with complex disabilities access ground-breaking technology.

“Equipment such as the Eyegaze technology is 100 per cent funded by voluntary donations and is a great way for the children and young adults to communicate, learn and play, enhancing their wellbeing.”

Donations during the week’s fundraising will be doubled with matching funding coming from two different pots – the pledgers and the champion.

Chailey Heritage Foundation’s pledgers are Sunninghill Construction (£1,000), Buxted Construction (£1,250) and the E3 Group (£1,500), and the champion is Candis Magazines who are donating up to £3,500, equating to up to £7,500 match donations from the public/organisations, which could raise up to £15,000 for the Eyegaze equipment.

Anyone wishing to show their support and find more information on the Chailey Heritage Foundation website – www.chf.org.uk/biggiveTo see Eyegaze being used by children and young people from Chailey Heritage visit www.chf.org.uk/eyegaze---

Chailey Heritage announces date of 2019 fun runPantomimes and Christmas performances: Everything you need to know