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Quest Specialist School

April 23, 2013By Axis Foundation

Minibus mobility for Autistic students

Quest Specialist School takes pupils age age 5-19 years across the autistic spectrum. The school helps students to develop appropriate behaviour, communication and functional life skills, which will assist them to lead independent lives in the future.

£20,000 from the Axis donation has covered the cost of a brand new minibus for the school so that they can take students on school trips. Out-of-school visits allow pupils to practice practical skills in the real world, such as using shops, cafes and libraries as independently as possible. In addition, the minibus transports students to sporting activities such as physiotherapy classes, swimming and trampolining.

“The work being done by the Quest School is truly inspirational and is providing disadvantaged young people with genuine life changing opportunities. We hope that by donating this minibus the Axis Foundation will help the students at the school to further develop through expanded community activities” – Axis Foundation Chairman Peter Varney

The severity of Autism suffered by children at the Quest School means they require one on one care by qualified staff. Many have been excluded from attending mainstream special schools so would otherwise have very little exposure to activities where they can interact with other children. Now that they have a more reliable minibus, the specialist school can take students to more exciting and far-flung destinations!

“Before Axis Foundation so kindly helped us, we were struggling with an old, unreliable and costly minibus. The donation of a brand new bus has enabled us to undertake journeys with much more confidence, and we are now able to travel longer distances than previously. Recently, our pupils have experienced trips to London museums, the South coast to the Sea Life centre and trips that we would never have dared to attempt in the old bus. The pupils absolutely love the space, comfort and the opportunities that the bus has bought them. Thank you to everyone at Axis Foundation for making this possible” – Ashley Carter-Mepsted, Development Manager

Care

Surrey Sands

April 12, 2013By Axis Foundation

Core support services for grieving families

Surrey SANDS is a self-funded organisation that provides support for anyone grieving the death of a baby. The management committee and befrienders are all volunteers and have all experienced the death of a baby. They know exactly what impact this has on a family.

Our donation of £500 will help the charity to deliver support for grieving families. The donation ensures that the staff of Surrey SANDS have sufficient facilities to continue services such as their helpline, newsletters and booklets, memorial events, support meetings and more.

Surrey SANDS chairlady, Kate Price said: “Naturally, everything we work towards comes at a cost. As a charity we don’t aim to make a profit and all our income is used for the benefit of our members. The majority of our income is generated from our service beneficiaries, their families and friends, so we really appreciate Axis’ donation and are immensely grateful.”

Disabled child smiling in his new specialist car seat

Disability

Harrison Smith Fund

March 21, 2013By Axis Foundation

Specialist car seat brings mobility

Little Harry’s illness limits his mobility; to help him see more of the world, his parents can purchase a specialist car seat thanks to our donation.

At 13 months, genetic tests diagnosed Harry Smith with 1p36 Deletion Syndrome. This chromosome deficiency affects Harry’s growth, development, speech, hearing, sight, mobility, digestion and motor skills.

Harry’s grandparents set up the ‘Harrison Smith Future Care Fund’ to provide for his future care and Harry’s family and friends host fundraising events including a Valentine’s Day ball which raised £10,000. Harry’s family also applied to the Axis Foundation for £500 Axis Foundation to purchase a specialist car seat, which we were delighted to grant.

The new, lightweight car seat provides added comfort and support through extra-firm armrests. Most importantly, it has a padded swivel base which makes transferring Harry from his wheelchair into the car a much easier process.

“Before we had the new seat it was difficult to transfer Harry without making him feel uncomfortable and hurting our backs leaning into the car” explained Jenny, Harry’s mum.

“We would just like to thank you for donating Harry’s new specialist car seat. It swivels so Harry can be lifted into the car so much easier and is so much more comfortable for him. It will last for a very long time as there is lots of room in it for Harry to grow.”

Donations

Ebony Horse Club

March 9, 2013By Axis Foundation

Horse riding lessons for disadvantaged youngsters

Ebony Horse Club is a charity that runs a horse riding programme for young people in inner-city communities. The project benefits social housing residents from the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth. It enables children aged 8-16 to experience an activity rarely available in urban areas.

£2479 from the Axis Foundation will pay for 72 children to participate in a two day horse riding introduction course. Keen riders can then to take part in a six-week follow-on programme, also covered by the donations.

“We know from the success of two pilot projects that there is a strong and consistent interest in horse riding from children living in these communities. Unfortunately very few families in social housing can afford to access this type of activity for their children, so they miss out” – Neighbourhood Investment Officer, Maud Gambier-Ellis

The charity has over 16 years experience working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds and has recently opened in Loughborough (Lambeth), one of the most deprived wards in the country. Children are encouraged to take part in many other educational activities including: educational visits, residential trips, and being sponsored for equestrian studies.

“We’re happy to support a cause that provides children with limited opportunities the ability to gain new experiences and skills, in this case the basics of horse riding and caring for animals. But that will also help with the wider development of their listening, communication and team working skills”- John Hayes, Axis Foundation Trustee

Disability

Tabor Centre

March 5, 2013By Axis Foundation

Wheelchair-accessible minibus for disabled adults

The Tabor Centre in Essex provides daytime care for over 80 severely disabled adults and respite for their full time family carers. The Axis Foundation’s donation part-funded the purchase of a wheelchair accessible minibus, used to transport members comfortably and safely.

Anthea Cooper, Tabor’s Centre Manager, explained in her funding application: “Accessible transport is key to our service, without it we cannot operate as our members disabilities mean they’re unable to travel in conventional ways. The day trips this vehicle will facilitate are the only opportunity for many of our members to leave their home and meet other people.”

“Your donation and this vehicle will enhance the lives of our severely disabled members” – Tabor Centre Manager, Anthea Cooper

More About The Tabor Centre

The Tabor Centre has been active for over twenty years, providing professional care and support to severely disabled adults, about 50% of whom have Multiple Sclerosis. The day centre provides educational classes, counselling, therapy and importantly a congenial and friendly atmosphere for people that visit.
Our ultimate aims are the rehabilitation of our members to enable them to participate and become part of their local community and for their carers to have a better quality of life.

Donations

Woodside School

February 1, 2013By Axis Foundation

Help for children with autism and learning difficulties

Woodside School in Bexley supports 215 children with Autism and learning difficulties. A donation of £2,700 from the Axis Foundation has enabled the school to launch two new extra-curricular clubs; an art club and a Tae Kwando club. Both after-school activities will provide an outlet for children to express their energy and creativity and encourage them to build new friendships with their peers.

The school approached the Axis Foundation after their Government funding was cancelled, removing their ability to provide engaging extracurricular activities.

“In addition to the challenges our pupils face with their disabilities, most come from families deemed as financially disadvantaged, which adds additional barriers to them accessing activities outside of school.” Audrey Chamberlain Head Teacher, Woodside School

Both clubs have enjoyed excellent attendance and feedback from the school is that the classes have been well received by the children, and the students who attend regularly have shown improvement in behaviour.

“Both the Art and Tae Kwando after school clubs have now started and the children are enthusiastic and very keen to take part. We used the donation given by the Axis Foundation to buy IT equipment for the art club and safety equipment for the Tae Kwando club which has helped massively.The children are very much enjoying the two new clubs and we couldn’t have done this without the help of The Axis Foundation. Thank you from everyone at Woodside School.” Audrey Chamberlain

Demelza

Our latest donation of £40,000 funds Community Nurse services for Demelza

November 30, 2012By Axis Foundation

Our latest donation of £40,000 funds Community Nurse services for Demelza children’s hospice and wins us their Long Term Supporter Award

The Axis Foundation’s 2012 donation funds the services of Community Nurse, Emily. Emily works in south London and provides respite care to local sick children and their families.

At the cheque presentation of the Axis Foundation’s donation of £40,000 in 2012, Demelza and the families they care for sent a big thank you to Axis in the form of a Long Term Supporter Award recognising all the support, volunteering and fundraising contributed by the Foundation.

Presenting the Award Natalie Tegg, Demelza’s Head of Partnerships said “This is a well-deserved award for the Axis Foundation for all their hard work and dedicated support for Demelza.

“Your help allows the charity to continue providing its invaluable care to over 800 children and their families across the South East.
“A huge thank you, from all the families and staff at Demelza, to everyone at Axis for their tireless efforts and enthusiasm in raising money for the charity.”

Accepting the award on behalf of all the Axis people who made the Foundation’s 2012 donation possible, Sandie Ryan, Axis Business Support Director, said “It is your compassion for the Demelza cause and hard work that has resulted in this sizeable donation that we know will make a real difference to these very special children.”

The Axis Foundation’s 2012 donation of £40,000 was added to the £21,000 donated via Just Giving that year, making our grand total £61,000.

Care

King’s College MS Trust

May 9, 2012By Axis Foundation

Providing multiple sclerosis support

The Kings College Hospital Multiple Sclerosis charity is dedicated in providing multiple sclerosis support. With over 100,000 people living with MS in the UK it’s crucial charities like this exist.

The charity provides suffers with vital support with specialist nurses and doctors trained to help sufferers live as active a lifestyle as possible. Through the charity, they also access to all the professional advice and information that will help them make the right choices for them.

The MS Trust is the definitive source of information for people affected by MS and is the primary provider of education for MS health care professionals.
The Axis Foundation donated a grand sum of £17,000 to the charity through matching the funds raised at an Axis charity disco and from the generous donations of Axis employees. The funding will contribute to palliative care for people with advanced MS.

“MS is a cruel and unpredictable disease,” explained Axis’ Claire Richardson, who knows first-hand the effects of the disease. “The research into better management of MS and support for people affected by the disease makes a real difference to the lives of those living with it.”

Demelza

Donation to Demelza Pays For Whole Year of Nursing Care

May 12, 2011By Axis Foundation

We gifted a grand total of £52,000 to Demelza’s Adopt a Nurse programme in 2011. The money will pay for a Demelza Nurse and Care Assistant for a year.

The Adopt a Nurse initiative is vital to Demelza’s work providing hospice care for over 700 children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Kent, East Sussex and South East London. The scheme funds the salary for a specialist pediatric nurse who delivers much-needed care to the children and respite for parents. Parent company Axis and the Axis Foundation have supported Demelza’s adopt a Nurse campaign for seven years.

Axis Foundation Trustee Sandie Ryan presented a cheque for £40,000 to staff at Demelza’s Kent hospice in April (2011). A further £12,000 was added via Just Giving donations to the Foundation. Axis people raised much of this great total through dressing up, running in the London 10K, a sponsored walk along the Great Wall of China, a golf day and a Summer Ball.

At the presentation, Sandie Ryan said: “The care these nurses provide is second to none and it’s clear to see how much the families need this extra pair of hands.”

Demelza’s Natalie Tegg said: “Demelza are hugely grateful to the Axis Foundation for all their amazing support. To raise this amount of money is fantastic. Thank you to all the Axis staff for their outstanding efforts. Their help will allow us to pay for a nurse to help children and families in the South East.”

Children playing at Myddleton Grange youth project.

Community

Myddleton Grange Residents Association

February 8, 2011By Axis Foundation

Community youth project reduces anti-social behaviour

Myddleton Grange Residents community youth project aims to reduce anti-social behaviours in young people and also to project young residents from gang-related attacks. They want to offer a safe and friendly environment for teenagers to learn important life skills.

The Axis Foundation answered the association’s plea to help make their estate a safer environment for all – by donating an initial £1,000 to cover thirty-two hours of a qualified youth worker’s time.

The donation to the Myddleton Grange Youth Project will contribute to a variety of activities for children aged 10-19, through 2 three hour weekly sessions, as well as weekend residential adventure schemes for older children.

Around 35 children use the youth project, half of whom are under 15, and while they are occupied the entire estate of around 400 households feel the benefit.
The donation from the Axis Foundation will allow for a wider scope of activities and greater capacity to engage with more youngsters, by funding trained workers to lead art/craft, dance, sport, drama and music classes. As well as the Youth club, this local community association also provides residents with a baby & toddler group, social events, organising training in areas such as First Aid, Safeguarding and Food Hygiene.

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