School donates thousands toward D.R.E.A.M appeal

The presentation of the cheque to the special school in North Chailey marked the culmination of fundraising efforts by pupils and staff at Cumnor House, Danehill for the past year.

Belinda Heinrich, wife of headmaster, Christian Heinrich at Cumnor independent preparatory school said: “Every year we select a charity that is close to the hearts of the Cumnor community and embark on a concerted fundraising campaign to raise as much money as we can.

“Our major fundraising event is the annual Christmas Fayre that I organise with a committee of Cumnor parents.

“It is an eagerly anticipated community and school event that is always well attended and attracts a wide array of stallholders selling Christmas presents and festive produce.”

The money raised by Cumnor House Sussex will be added to Chailey Heritage Foundation’s £3.1m Appeal.

The appeal was launched in Autumn 2016, to replace an ageing 1950’s assembly hall with a modern, purpose-built indoor sports and activity centre.

Sally-Anne Murray, development director at Chailey Heritage Foundation said, “We are enormously grateful to Cumnor House Sussex for their tremendous support and we thank the whole community involved in raising such a significant sum of money for our charity.

“With the support of another generous donor, the money raised by Cumnor House Sussex has been matched pound for pound.

“This brings the total raised for our appeal to £3,040,000.

“We are incredibly close to our final £3.1m target.”

The new D.R.E.A.M. Centre will allow young people, all of whom are in wheelchairs, to play indoor sport, take part in drama and musical performances and the children will be able to develop their balance through rebound therapy and learn to drive a powered wheelchair.

In addition to that the children will have the opportunity to broaden their horizons through a state of the art 4D immersive experience zone.

Other appeals Charity Heritage Foundation are raising funds for include a feed storage shed for the therapeutic care farm, ‘Patchwork farm’. Therapeutic riding, which costs £50,000 a year to provide, and receives no statutory funding.

Eye Gaze technology, which can transform opportunities for the pupils. The total cost of the project is £69,514.

To find out more visit www.chf.org.uk